I once overheard the following from a woman in a restaurant. “I would like the Eggs Benedict, but I don’t really like ham, so if you wouldn’t mind, I think I would like sausage instead; and could you fry the eggs instead of poach them? I don’t like runny yolks. Oh, and please don’t put any of the yellow sauce on top. I really don’t care for that.” The waitress helpfully suggested, “If you just want to order the sausage and eggs with an English muffin, it is almost two dollars cheaper.” Indignantly, the woman informed the waitress, “If I wanted sausage and eggs, I would order sausage and eggs. I want Eggs Benedict!”

I sometimes think we approach our faith the same way. We know that we are called to be obedient to God and to imitate Jesus Christ, but we want to do it on our own terms. Certainly, we know it is important to worship and pray—when we have the time and it is convenient. We know giving is part of our commitment—but we aren’t sure we want to commit to a set amount. And as for Christian service and witness—well, we are glad our church takes care of that for us.

Not everyone feels or acts this way, but many people who call themselves Christian have a faith practice that is passive or even idle. Paul warns of a complacent and convenient Christian faith. This is a Christianity of substitutions, taking what Jesus taught and modifying it to fit our desires and comfort level. But obedience to God is active. Christian discipleship demands engagement and effort. Perhaps the greatest challenge in our “have it my way” culture is to learn to want it God’s way.