The SPEC

Some weeks back I decided to play a bit and launched an anonymous message link. One question I got set me thinking deeply and I am still thinking. I was asked, “What is your Spec?” What a question! I gave a dangerous answer, one that I’ve been mulling over because it was an indictment on myself. I said, “My Spec is someone obedient to Christ without buts”. News flash, this article is not about spec but this statement.

See, we live in a crazy generation, a really crazy generation which is subtly guided by two principles; consumerism and comfort. Both are related really. Consumerism being a consumer mindset. I think we grew up with too many opportunities to make choices and we’ve carried it into our relationship with God and others (especially in choosing life partners, but that’s an article for another day). And comfort being the dislike of displeasure and love of convenience. Both of these are further undergirded by one word — Self. We are obsessed with ourselves. Our world has a largely personal view and we are all trapped in protecting ourselves and our interests.

This is a cancer that has eaten into our relationship with God and it is dangerous! We follow God…if it won't cost too much. We create space for God in our lives and give him boundary lines- be grateful you have this space. We obey his commands if they are convenient. We love bible passages that speak about blessing and prosperity and frown at or ‘grace-revolutionize’ those about suffering and carrying our crosses. This is not true or proper religion and worship.

See God's call to us to follow him is a “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” call. You either go hard or go home and God is so good he has provided grace to go hard all the way.

To Love even when the vibe is not reciprocated. To forgive even before forgiveness is asked of. To dedicate our lives to service even though we cannot see how the bills will be paid. To give even when we are broke. To open our doors to people even if we are ’introverted’ (one day we will talk about how ‘introvert’ and ‘Christian’ don’t agree) or just want to rest. It’s a call to be God's hands and feet and live it out in actions.

I am under no illusion that this is an easy way to live. It goes against almost all we have learnt and been taught in school. It goes against our flesh and human-ness but ‘his grace is sufficient for you and his strength perfected in your weaknesses’. Go hard today! Go all in!

Oya back to spec talk. This is my spec and this is who I want to be. Imagine individuals and marriages and families built on this kind of commitment to God and his call. The gates of hell would be destroyed completely. Let’s do this folks!