Posted: 11/19/04
EDITORIAL:
Calculus of lame duckery
My, how time flies. Just three weeks ago, we didn't know who would occupy the White House the next four years. Now, we're hearing “President Bush” and “lame duck” in the same sentence.
Poor guy. He hasn't even lifted his hand to take his second oath of office, and everybody from preachers to pundits is talking about how his effectiveness soon will be limited. He even acknowledged he's got about 18 months to accomplish the major goals of his administration. Then his clout will diminish rapidly, because friends and foes will know they can wait him out if they don't want to follow his lead.
Second-term presidents aren't the only lame ducks. Bosses nearing retirement often exert very little influence. Workers about to transfer are lame ducks, as are coaches with eyes on the next team. Parents can become lame ducks when their children allow others to influence them more than Mom and Dad.
Unfortunately, Christians can become lame ducks, too. When our witness becomes irrelevant, ineffective or even negative, we're lame ducks. At least three variables factor into the calculus of lame duckery:
Hypocrisy. Nothing damages a Christian's testimony worse than when walk does not match talk. We know we're sinful humans, but if Christ's presence in us doesn't distinguish us from the people around us, we're lame.
Zealotry. Some well-meaning Christians become lame ducks because they're unreal. Their judgmentalism sets them apart from the very people they wish to reach with the gospel. Their piousity seems unattainable, and non-Christians don't even want to consider becoming a Christian, because they think they must be perfect first.
Apathy. This is the big one. We become lame ducks when we fail to care for the lives–spiritual and physical–of the people around us. When we adopt a secular mindset and refuse to see their need, we're lame. And practically useless.
The president of the United States may become a lame duck early in his second term, but a Christian should remain active, winsome and influential every day God gives life.
–Marv Knox
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
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