From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Recently, I was having lunch with a young man who is enrolled in a 12-month, Christian-based residency program for people recovering from substance abuse issues.
When I arrived to pick him up there were several other residents doing odd jobs on the property.
I followed protocol of signing in and declaring the time we would return.
During our lunch together my friend mentioned to me the high standards of the program and the zero tolerance for breaking the clearly-articulated guidelines.
He confessed to me how he had broken a few of the rules and made note of the consequences which followed.
I asked him how he felt about that and his response surprised me a little.
He was genuinely grateful for the tough stance they took, even though it resulted in demerit points for him.
The demerit points led to certain privileges taken away for a period of time.
It was the accountability, though, and the “tough love” that he appreciated.
Many runners who race the marathon have a goal of running the Boston Marathon, but there is a standard set which must be reached before acceptance into the race is granted.
Many runners who have not been able to reach the standard feel it is too stringent, but for others it simply pushes them to step up their training to get in.
Would you be happy if your dentist got by with ‘C’s” and ‘D’s” in university?
How about buying meat at the grocery store that didn’t have to pass an inspection?
Are you okay with airport security laughing and joking and letting anyone pass through the check points untouched?
As you can see, higher standards yield better results.
This rule also applies to our faith.
If you call yourself a Christian, be sure you act like one!
