Lulled into Complacency
When we're honest with ourselves, you and I will often be surprised to
realize how often a certain sense of smugness has crept into our lives.
Complacency is one
of the most insidious temptations that you and I can fall into. How easy it is
to decide, "Well, I may not be perfect, but I've more or less got my act
together, especially in comparison to other people I know!" Granted, we
might not be that explicit about our sense of self-satisfaction, but when we're
honest with ourselves, you and I will often be surprised to realize how often a
certain sense of smugness has crept into our lives.
St. Paul was the
master of giving people a nice "pat on the back" while encouraging
them to keep striving for improvement. In his first letter to the
Thessalonians, Paul is filled with thanksgiving, joy, and reassurance for the
Thessalonians faithfulness - evidently, the young Church in Thessalonika wasn't
doing too bad! Yet Paul also warns against complacency, gently pointing out
certain "deficiencies of faith," and praying that the Lord help his
friends "INCREASE and abound in love..." Jesus too, commands us to
not be lulled into complacency, but rather, "Stay awake!"