INSOUSIANCE

I Was Just Thinking About – INSOUCIANCE.

I was reading comments by Dr. A.W. Tozer regarding the Church and whether or not it knows it’s true calling or purpose. He shares this thought as to why people begin to absent themselves and ultimately flee from the Church with its endless promotions and appeals in its quest for relevance. His comment was that it “can get mighty wearisome after a while, so wearisome indeed that alert, forward-looking persons often forsake the churches in droves and leave the spiritless, the dull and those afflicted with permanent insouciance to carry on.” What did he mean and what is insouciance? It means: “casual lack of concern and indifference.” Some of the synonyms are also revealing: “nonchalance, unconcerned, heedlessness.”

What is God’s purpose for His Church and the Biblical Christian? What is the focus desired by Him for them? The purpose and focus is given in Ephesians 3:10-11, “His (God’s) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Dr. Tozer goes on to ask: “What is the purpose statement of your Church? Let’s find out what God means (wants) and adopt His purpose (focus) for us.” This would be revolutionary for many churches that find themselves steeped in traditions, lethargy, forms and methods.

In his book, The Set Of The Sail, Dr. Tozer concludes: “Paul and all the faithful in Christ Jesus were part of that plan (and purpose, Ephesians 3:10-11) …It was the knowledge that they were part of an eternal plan that imparted unquenchable enthusiasm to the early Christians. They burned with holy zeal for Christ and felt that they were part of an army which the Lord was leading to ultimate conquest over all the powers of darkness. That was enough to fill them with perpetual enthusiasm.”

In your spiritual journey, do you have the sense that you are on the cutting edge of God’s will and purpose for you and His Church? Or, have you placed yourself with those who are marked by their insouciance: “casual, indifferent, nonchalant, unconcerned”?

How does one overcome insouciance? John Piper in his Desiring God Blog – How To Repent - shared these thoughts as a starting point in his own life: “Nothing changed until I began to get specific about my sins…I began to call to mind the commands I frequently break. These are the ones that came to mind. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Not 95%, but 100% (Matthew 22:37). Do all things without grumbling. No grumbling inside or outside (Philippians 2:14). Redeem the time. Don’t fritter away the minutes, or dawdle (Ephesians 5:16). So much for any pretensions to great holiness! I’m undone.”

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

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