55. Stop Pretending

“Pretending,” Stan began, “is what keeps a lot of Christians from growing in their walk with God.”

“Pretending about what?” I replied.  “Pretending they are Christians?”

“No, they don’t pretend to be Christians, but they do pretend that everything is just fine in their relationship with God.  They are secure in their salvation, but they stop short of what God intends for them.”

“As an example,” Stan continued, “I have an older friend who likes to say, ‘I’m retired; don’t bother me.’  While he says it in kind of a jest to indicate he does not want to do anything but rest, there is an unfortunate truth in what he says.”

“He’s a Christian, but there is little evidence of any growth in his relationship with God.  It’s like he is saying to God, ‘Don’t bother me, I’ve got my ticket to Glory.’”

“Sounds serious,” I said, “any hope for him?”

“There’s always hope,” Stan replied, “but the first step with him and with anyone like that is to stop pretending that everything is just fine.”

“It’s a heart condition.  The heart is simply not in the right place.  There is a proudness that the person is just fine.”

“Unfortunately,” Stan went on, “that heart condition is a disease that is contagious.  Those who pretend everything is just fine tend to infect and affect others.”

“So, stay away from them.  Is that your advice?”

“No, I try to help them, but I have to be careful not to fall into the trap of pretending that everything in my relationship with God is ok.”

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Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.  Proverbs 16:5.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you want a relationship with me that is constantly growing deeper.  You know my tendency to be lazy with you and to pretend that everything is just fine in our relationship.  Please help me in not falling into that trap.  Help me in following your lead to wherever you want me to be.  Amen.