I don’t know about you, but I love it when people tell me that I can have it all. I feel great when I’m told that if I simply follow one or two simple rules, I’ll make loads of money and find true fulfillment. I like being comforted and told I’m fantastic without anyone pointing out my faults, imperfections, and real challenges.
Isn’t that the promise we often hear? Don’t we often hear about a God that wants to make things easy for us, let us have our own way, and not really face life’s complexity and fickleness? Hey, all we have to do is send in 4 easy payments of $19.95 for the latest real-estate program, or maybe even just one payment to buy the hottest new self-help or faith-help book?
We all love these promises. And we love spending money on them when we think they’ll come true. I know I have (though let me spare you the details). But most of the time, there’s much more to finding happiness than so many simple fixes.
That’s why I’m excited about anyone who has the courage to tell us that, yes, we can change, but it’s not going to be easy. We have to accept accountability. We even have to know that our God, who does indeed accept us just as we are, isn’t necessarily saying that things are going to be easy.
Bil Cornelius is one such voice that’s saying this. He’s got everything all those people who make big promises have got—an infectious, upbeat personality and a plan that can help you succeed. Except the major difference is that Cornelius is saying that you’re not going to grow and change if you aren’t willing to work hard. And to do that, you’ve got to take a long look into your challenges and admit you’ve got them, and learn to work within them. You’re not going to get anywhere with a quick fix.
See his recent guest entry, “Personal Responsibility in an Age of Instant Gratification,” on The Washington Post’s “On Faith” blog. You’ll get a little glimpse of what he’s talking about.
I’ll admit here that I’m a bit biased toward Bil. He’s an author I’ve been working with here at Guideposts, and we’re publishing his book, I Dare You to Change!, on September 1. I hope, however, that you can tell I really believe in the message he’s crafted.
Acountability, responsibility, pulling together in community. The knowledge that we’ve got to work hard at this, be patient, and let God lead us. To me these are the keys to finding a faith that will indeed take us deeper into a life of fulfillment.
Watch our videos with Bil here!
