Getting off the My Way Highway
"Teach me thy way, O Lord." Psalm 27:11
Mostly, in this culture, it's all about "my way." Who am I? What do I need? What's right for me? Will this work for me? Did I like that? That's the real superhighway.
Frank Sinatra sings it: "I Did It My Way."
Burger King invites it: "Have It Your Way."
A popular wedding website is cslled: "It's All About You," ...and on and on.
The "my way" thing is probably fine in small doses. But, in large quantities it's toxic. I'd say we're overdosed.
But it's not just a "culture thing." Let's be honest. It's my thing. My overdosing on my way, my agenda, my wants, my ego, E.G.O. - edging God out.
For us in the church, Lent is detox time. We get reminded that "my way" ought to come packaged with a warning: "In large quantities this is dangerous to your health and to the health of those around you."
So here we are in Lent: our annual 40-day rehab stint. Here's the deal: pray, fast and give to the poor not because of what it will do for you, but to get over you, to forget about me at least a little. Teach me thy way, O God.
Sometimes the big messages are right there in front of us. Like this one, in the so-familiar-we-miss-it Lord's Prayer. "Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..." Thy name, thy kingdom, thy will.
Thine not mine. Detox is tough. We will get the shakes a time or two. Forty days is a long time.
Teach me, teach us, they way, O God; and grant us the perfect freedom found in obedience. Amen.
Anthony G. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a a speaker, teacher, and writer.
To say that "God exists" is the greatest understatement ever made across space and time.
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