How You Practice Is How You Live
“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
About 30 years ago, I was on the Board of a Homeless Shelter. The not-for-profit did great work, and its Director was passionate about homelessness. As time went on, it became apparent that the Director was more concerned about people experiencing homelessness in theory than about caring for people without housing under his care. The Director found every reason to be away from the restored motel, where homeless families were cared for. When he attended homeless conferences, he stayed in $ 300-per-night penthouses (about $900 in today’s money). That is when the board finally terminated his employment. One cannot commit in theory yet ignore that commitment in practice. How you practice is how you live.
It was Booker T. Washington who said, “Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the everyday things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon.” It is when our beliefs and commitments fail to align that dysfunction occurs. This dysfunction creates unhealthy compartmentalization. One of the worst examples of this dysfunctional compartmentalization is the Roman Catholic Church’s issue with priests who have abused children. I am sure the vast majority of these dysfunctional priests have given their lives to the faith and performed many profound acts in their ministries. However, they still compartmentalize the horrific acts of child sexual abuse. Abuse by priests is an extreme example of theory and actions not in harmony.
Another example of spiritual disunity is the person of faith who also struggles with alcoholism. The person wants to live a life in unity with Christ’s example, but their alcohol abuse leaves them hurting those around them and damaging their body, mind, and soul. The person rationalizes their destructive actions by saying, “alcoholism is a disease.” The response needs to be, “Yes, and someone with a disease needs to get help before the disease kills.”
Today, reflect on your own life. Have you created any unhealthy compartments in your life? Is there someone you love who is struggling with a dysfunctional disparity between what they rationally affirm and how they act? Pray for those who are not guided by a spiritual ethic, leaving their beliefs and actions at odds with one another. Finally, give thanks to the God who makes all things possible. No struggle or disease is beyond God’s ability to heal and restore!
