I start thinking about the big three. I don't smoke, I can probably count on my fingers the number of drinks I had all last year, and I am at a point in my life where pornography does not have a hold on me (thank God I can say that, it wasn't always the case, and maybe I'll write about that sometime). So, does that mean that I have it all together?
The simple answer is no. The biggest problem with the big three idea is that I think it can give people a false sense of comfort. I think of the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector:
Luke 18
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
So often we look at the pharisee (or any other character in the bible that failed in some way) and see them as something separate from ourselves, almost as if they are some alien species. How could they possibly be so stupid?! They missed the whole point. The irony here is that in so doing we are the pharisee.
How does this make a difference in my life? Well I was walking the dog the other day, and praying as I went (thanks Andy for that idea!). I think God spoke to me about my big three.
1. Acting out of frustration: I have four children aged 4, 3, almost 2 and 7 months. I love them and wouldn't trade what I have for anything. Sometimes dealing with them can be very frustrating. I have been learning with God's help to not react when frustrated. It hasn't been easy or flawless, but it has been amazing.
2. Not treating God's name as holy: Again on a walk with the dog I started to paraphrase the Lord's prayer. "God my father in heaven, Your name is holy..." Here I stopped. I don't always treat it that way. There have been times when I treat his name as a throwaway... I am not one who freaks out over every word, but the way we speak matters.
3. Judgementalism: I have noticed recently that I have walked into certain situations with a poor attitude. I think that the person can't do this as well as I could. Why are they even there? Wait, does God use the humble for noble purposes? Hmmm.
Anyway, that is my big three. I mention them not out of false humility so people tell me how awesome I am (I am pretty awesome), but to remind everyone that your big three and mine may not be the same, and that if you don't drink, smoke, or indulge in pornography, you can still find areas for God to work in your life.
