How do I stop growing in my faith?

You’ve asked this question time and time again in varying seasons of life. Maybe you’re asking it right now.

You’re tired of growing your faith.

• Tired of getting closer to God. 
• Tired of God calling you to do big things. 
• Tired of feeling like your gifts are being well-spent. 
• Tired of pouring yourself out. 
• Tired of feeling like you don’t know exactly what God’s going to ask you to do.
• Tired of God using you to minister hope and grace and truth.

I mean, seriously, it’s time to quit growing. Time to get control back over your life. Time for things to calm down, and for you to get a handle on where things are going. Am I right?

If you’re with me on this, and you’re ready for your faith to grow stagnant, stinking the place up like a mosquito-infested pond in June, then try this one thing on for size. It’s easy, really. If you’re tired of your faith growing, all you have to do is:

Play it safe.

• Don’t be generous with your resources. That’s risky, and takes faith. 
• Don’t be generous with the grace you give others. You will probably get burned.
• Don’t join a small group. You could be asked to be vulnerable. And you could be stretched. That’s no way to live.
• Don’t read your Bible and act on it. Just stick to reading it. Much safer.
• Don’t invite your neighbors to church with you. Stay in your comfort zone.
• Don’t go on a mission trip. That’s crazy talk. 
• Don’t go serve the homeless in your city. You might get dirty.
• Don’t tithe. Planned giving? We’re going for minimal risk here. Come on.
• Don’t maintain close relationships with people. People are too messy and difficult.
• Don’t build relationships with people outside of the faith. If someone doesn’t trust Jesus, give ‘em a tract and move on. If you try to stick around and love them, you’re being dangerous.
• Don’t worship with other believers. Just quit going to church. They ask you to do things like ‘participate in worship.’ Not safe at all.
• Don’t do anything difficult. When things get tough, run the other way. That’ll *stick it* to your faith.

Just minimize the risk in everything you do. That way you keep things safe, easy, and manageable.

And watch your faith shrivel right up.

Anybody with me?