In the chapter on secondary elements of renewal Lovelace describes the two main forms of self-absorption found in the early American church. The first form was adopted by those who were seriously religious and urgently concerned to establish their regeneracy and grow in personal holiness. It seems that these people were too busy looking inward that it inhibited them from looking beyond themselves.
The second form of self-absorption was practiced by those who were only formally pious and were mesmerized by their interest in land and business.
Lovelace concludes that "it is possible for both individuals and churches to become devoted mainly to personal spiritual culture and forget outreach, especially if the process of reaching out involves touching those who may contaminate us."
I believe that it would be safe to say that we, in America, are following one of these two lines of living. The truth is that we are all so busy doing good things that we hardly take the time to notice. Lives are messy, especially lives that are in desperate need of mercy. We simply don’t have the time to “get involved.”
I’m not pointing the finger here. Please understand. The issues are too deep for a slap on the wrist. Saying “Don’t do that anymore!” just won’t cure this illness. Only the Gospel will do. Search your heart and see if Christ is your chief desire. If you don’t know ask Him (Ps 139). Survey your life, where do you run when things get messy in life? What are your deepest cravings?
When you find the idol of your heart. Repent. Drop it. Empty your hands. Then receive Christ by faith. It is that simple. In Him, we are fully accepted by the Father. In Him, we are fully satisfied as well. This is Life overflowing. What do we do with the leftovers? Knowing that our sins are forgiven, we rise and take them to others – desiring deeply to fill their emptiness with the Life that filled ours.
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