I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
– Romans 7:15

I don’t really like instructive letters. No matter what the instruction is, I resent it. I’m not sure what cataclysmic forces I might have unleashed on the world for failing to uphold my end of the numerous chain letter contracts to which I was bound in my childhood: “If you don’t send this letter to seven people, everything bad that ever happens in the future will be your fault.” (I think that was the gist of it.) I don’t even like when a writer breaks the unspoken “wall” between the pages of a book and me, the reader, telling me to do something other than continuing to read. I want to be inspired to action, not instructed to it. No matter what the instruction is, I always feel at least some sense of patronizing condescension from the author who must take a secret delight in making me do something I wouldn’t have otherwise done.

So, it is with great humility that I walk directly into my own hypocrisy and ask you to do something beyond merely reading the rest of this note. I realize many of you will continue to read without pausing to do what I’m about to ask of you. Just remember, if you don’t complete the forthcoming task, you will be responsible for every bad thing that ever happens in the future everywhere.

Ready?

Now, take ten seconds and consider at least three things everyone should do. What are the things, experiences, or practices that all human beings ought to do?

That list is likely to be wide and varied. Some of you started with basic hygiene: bathe, change your sheets, brush your teeth, etc… Others of you thought of exotic travel destinations (i.e.: Lake Mission Viejo), or lemon meringue pie, or first kisses, or roller coasters, or putting the seat up, or putting the seat down, or using the correct fork, or trying a hula hoop. Maybe, some of us veered slightly more relational in our answers: call your mother, or pick up the phone when your mother calls, or stop lying, or spend more time with loved ones, or forgive, or cry sometimes, or laugh more often, or laugh less frequently at someone else’s expense. The list could go on forever.

We’re all familiar with what we SHOULD do. Quite honestly, we’re often far more familiar with what everyone else’s list of “shoulds” looks like. Our issue is not that we are unable to determine what we’re supposed to be doing. Everyone knows broccoli is good for you, and that we SHOULD eat more of it. But, it’s gross. Ice cream is not gross. We don’t choose ice cream because we are unaware that it is a lesser health choice. We choose it in spite of what we know.

Most people — when you ask them about Jesus’ ministry — believe that he was dedicated to an agenda of better clarifying what we SHOULD all be doing. It’s not uncommon for people to reach the conclusion that Jesus’ followers are merely intent on being better at completing the long list of “shoulds” in the Bible. What is it that God is after in the Bible? Is it merely obedient robots living under the fearful threat of of punishment? Or, is God seeking something more for us that cannot ever be reached by climbing a moral ladder of shoulds or should-nots?

Just maybe the “shoulds” aren’t enough to ultimately accomplish what God wants for us in our lives.

This week, we’ll challenge this notion of should-allegiance that so many people have about the Bible. Invite friends who may have been burned out by a tradition, belief, or a practice of merely being told that they’re not doing enough right things. God wants so much more than that for us… and for them. Let’s explore it together as we continue in our series: TRANSFORMED.

See you soon,

Jeff