You and Me Forever — Reading Journal Log 2

Perhaps one of the most important things about learning is doing. In this book, Francis urges his readers to action as faith without works is dead (James 2).

Christians in America have become experts at conviction—and failures at action.

– You and Me Forever (Ch 1)

Perhaps one of the most common problems I’ve seen in the church is complacency. Too many Christians feel like they are spiritually active simply because they know a lot and love highlighting verses in the Bible. Yet when it comes to caring for the poor, forsaking their offering until they make reconciliation, or leaving a clique to talk to the socially awkward person, they are infants (Matt 25:35; Matt 5:23-24; James 2:1).

I know because I’ve been there. I’ve felt the fears that come with obeying God. And if I were to be very, very honest, I still do. “What will she think of me? What if I get criticized? What if I fail? What will I lose?”

When’s the last time we asked ourselves, “But what if I do nothing?”

Probably never, because we’ve convinced ourselves that it’s okay to be a Christian coward.

We’d rather be safe and not make mistakes. Sometimes we even attribute our omission of action to “wisdom,” excusing ourselves from doing what we must. Then we comfort ourselves by quoting Jeremiah 29:11, or another verse that’s out of context because we know that one’s definitely out of context.

It’s like we’ve turned God into spiritual Vicodin. Numb your sin and guilt with the Word!

I hope to learn spiritual truths from this book as it points me back to Scripture. Even more, I hope that it transforms how I see God and love people.