SBNR

Want a catchy phrase to describe a life of faith apart from the hassle of organized religion? How about "spiritual but not religious"? The acronym is all the rage. There's even a Facebook group for it. True, we are cautioned against being like the Pharisees--religious, but not spiritual--living by the letter of the law, but having no love in our hearts. But that is not what this movement is about.

SBNR is borne of folks who saw the uglier aspect of the church and were displeased. Disappointing things like Christian misconduct at business meetings, focusing on people's sense of fashion or lack of it on Sunday mornings, and jockeying for position or power in every circumstance, just mention a few. This "spiritual" movement is being reinforced by a daytime talk show host who proclaims that God is in each of us. Therefore, we are God. So, whatever we do is holy. As such, there is no sin. No need for redemption. Or forgiveness. End of story.

Apart from sounding just "right" enough to lead the masses astray, what are the main problems with this line of thought? First, when we take corporate worship out of the mix, spiritual complacency sets in like algae on the surface of a pond. We are as happy as larks in our stagnation and don't even recognize the building green stuff. Second, it removes the valuable tool of the refining accountability of godly friends completely from our lives. I don't know about you, but I need God speaking to me through my friends! They help keep me on track. Third, forget any possibility of spiritual growth as we would cease to gather together to delve deeper into God's Word. We simply wouldn't sense the need to do it. Fourth, there would be no compunction to feed the hungry or clothe the poor as God's Word clearly commands us. Or really to adhere to the commandments at all since whatever we do is holy. And, forget about tithing that 10 percent. That's old school!

Between teaching a ladies Sunday School class twice a month, choir obligations, the homeless ministry needs, and preparing to speak and sing to groups, a good deal of my time is consumed with practices, studying, administration, and busyness. Sadly, there have been far too many times when I was so weighed down by the business of these noble things that the reason behind them grew fuzzy. And my depth of worship, both private and public, suffered. In my own way, have I been in danger of becoming SBNR?

Father God, please do not let me hop down this bunny trail. I crave a life of faith, but not one of my own definition, only Yours. Thank You for the freedom to come to Your house and learn how to love You more, along with other people. Please help me dig deeper into Your Word, each day. Please inspire my godly friends to speak with me through Your love and discipline, that I might be further refined. Please do not let me become so caught up in the motions of all these worthwhile ministries that I forget why I'm involved in the first place. Do not let me drift. Or become complacent. Pull me to You like a strong magnet. And hold me there! With a conversation that lasts all day. Every day. So that I may hear Your gentle whisper as well as your loving discipline. Thank You, Father, for flashing this SBNR movement across my radar screen so that I could study it, make a choice, and take a stand. In the powerful unchanging name of Your Son, I pray. Amen.