the magic pill

Watching Donald Miller's "Non-Commercial Thoughts on Christianity" yesterday during the breakout session at my church's small group leader training, I was struck again by how completely and utterly Christians buy "the magic pill to ultimate fulfillment" argument. What Miller said: if we think "if I just pray the right way and for the right amount of time and for the right reasons, God will bless me and I will find ultimate fulfillment" we are wrong, wrong, wrong. The prayer is less important than the praying. The prayer is what we say (as pathetic as that might be). Praying is talking to God, advancing and deepening the relationship.

When our church was in the midst of the "40 Days of Purpose" campaign, I nearly experienced a nervous breakdown. I mean, here was this book that was basically telling me I was doing it all wrong, living my life incorrectly, and I'd better shape up and discern God's purpose for me (using, of course, the book) or my life was a complete waste. Where was the grace of God? Certainly, not in that book. Miller cites Matthew 6 (using Eugene Peterson's The Message), where Jesus basically says that this is pure nonsense.

The pill, the formula, the structure -- Miller notes that's all our way of retaining control. If we just take it, do it, or follow it, we'll reach ultimate fulfillment, without any other investment on our part. Not unlike the millions of promises made in the far reaches of the diet industry: if we do thus and such, we'll lose 50 pounds, life will be wonderful, we'll have all sorts of friends, etc. etc.

I agree with Miller: I don't believe it any more.