Are You Motivated?

Jackson was taking a hitting lesson. (When I was a kid, there was just one team bat, and the only lesson available was, “Keep your eye on the ball, son, and hit it hard!”) There’s more to it than that, now. (And the one-team-bat version was cheaper, too!)

His coach goes by “Shore,” and as he was pitching to Jackson and barking instructions faster than my keep-your-eye-on-the-ball batting experience could process, he casually said to me, “What do you think about Joel Olsteen? (“You’re long, Jackson. Shorten it up!”) Knowing I’m a pastor, and given his reaction to my response, I think Shore thought I’d be a bit more effusive in praise. Or that I’d at least have one good word to say. But the best I could offer was, “I can’t say that I’m a fan.” Maybe he thought I was jealous of the big crowds, or the full head of hair, but Shore completed my thought for me. “I go over here to (such and such) to church (“That’s what I want to see, Jackson!”), but I listen to Olsteen when I’m not there – which is a good bit of the time. I like him because, well I’d have to say he’s more an entertainer, or a motivational speaker, but he makes me feel good.”

You don’t say.

We moved from the batting cage to the pitching mound, and while I was catching Jackson (and doing my fair share of praying, given the speed and movement he’s now putting on the ball – I’d guess I’m no more than one hit pitch away from retirement!), Shore walked back by. “I’ve given a little more thought to your question, Shore. And a more complete response would be to say that I just don’t think Jesus was much of a ‘motivational speaker.’” I think Shore understood. But he and millions more will be tune in again Sunday morning at eleven.

With no sense of arrogance intended (as if I’m more like Jesus than Joel is), I do think this is part of why we’ve not yet had to add a third service and two satellite locations with a televised feed for the Sunday sermon at Park Road Baptist. It’s hardly surprising to say that more people would rather leave worship (or get off the sofa) “feeling good,” than being challenged with the difficulties of faith. But if you really want to listen to the Bible, you’re not often going to close the pages with one of Olsteen’s signature smiles on your face.

This stuff is hard.

I hate your worship – the liturgy I want is service... Turn the other cheek... Go the extra mile... The greatest will be the servant... Give to everyone who begs... Forgive (until you’re sick of it)... Take up your cross (not the trinket on your necklace), and FOLLOW ME...

Christian faith, lived, requires discipline, which has become a bad word. But without discipline, no one can hope to become a disciple. So we'll be talking during this season of Lent about discipline, not about God giving you everything you want through prayer. Our theme is “The Disciplined Life: A Journey to Easter,” and we’ll spend each week on one, three-word discipline. This week’s is “Run the Race.”

I hope it will be motivating!