One of the most delightful moments in Prime TV's show Clarkson's Farm happens whenever Jeremy Clarkson manages to do a 'farming thing' successfully. Whether it's attaching a plough or putting up a fence, driving a tractor or harvesting crops they're all met with an exultant "I did a thing!".
Clarkson began that show back in 2021 with zero clue about farming and took viewers on a journey with him as he tried to navigate the challenges of bi-laws, inclement weather and complicated equipment. The lessons came fast and the victories were hard won, hence his joy whenever he completed even the smallest thing.
"I did a thing!"
Does following Christ involve regular moments of similar delight I wonder? Why not?
Many of us aim at and are motivated by unattainable goals and place unhealthy expectations on ourselves, with the result being that we experience far fewer moments of delight than Clarkson does in his farming!
By his own assessment Jeremy Clarkson is an old, overweight, car enthusiast and he's attempting to do something very hard. He knows how terrible he is and he's regularly reminded of how terrible he is by the harsh environment and unforgiving weather, not to mention the mockery of Caleb his farm hand. His delight in doing something, anything, not terrible is related to this.
As followers of Christ, do we know the same?
Consider some of the obstacles that are in our way when it comes to living a life that pleases God.
I was born (as we all are) with a rebellious and proud nature that was 'switched off' to the presence of the Holy Spirit. As I grew I came to believe the deluded pretensions of my ego that I and not God am the centre of the universe. My primary goal in life as a young person was to make myself happy, to feed myself and to indulge myself in as many pleasures as I could. As the kids say (and St. Paul) God was 'dead' to me. I cared nothing for him and instead used his name as a curse word, a means to vent my frustration whenever I didn't get my way.
I wasn't only born with a nature like this, I was also raised in a culture that had normalised and even valorised many of the things that offend God and go against reality as God intended. Pre-marital sex was hailed a 'rite of passage' and drunkenness was just 'having fun'. Greed was recast as 'progress', a sign of my success perhaps. I was taught that what mattered most in life was my own fulfilment, and that this was all the justification I needed to make whatever life choices I wanted. Adultery, if it makes me happy, may be permissible, abortion if it's a path to happiness may also be necessary. Dodging taxes is ok if it allows me to pursue happiness, stealing from large corporations too since 'they don't need it'.
I also, like the rest of mankind, have been opposed by malevolent spiritual forces throughout my life. These powers have lied to me about the nature of God and tried to convince me that self-expression is the highest good I can aim at. They kept me drowned in a cover of spiritual fog and darkness. The resulting reality was that I lived more like a partner of Satan than a child of God.
All of this presented me (it presents all of us) with far greater obstacles to success than Clarkson faced in farming.
When Jesus took hold of my life through the preaching of the gospel and the power of the Spirit I began to try to please God rather than myself, and I set different goals for my life. This is in fact what it means to be a Christian, to aim to live for Christ and orbit ourselves around him.
Now, anyone who's tried to live for God or resist temptation or re-set core values or inhabit a new set of rhythms and routines know how truly difficult it is. We have all of the challenges and oppositions listed above working against us. We have the Spirit in us who is empowering us but, still - it's hard work!
Why then are we less excited than Clarkson with some of our steps forward?
I put it to you that whenever you set aside a few minutes for prayer, or settle yourself down to read the Bible inviting God to speak to you; whenever you do those things you ought to exclaim afterwards "I did a thing!"
Tried to share the gospel with someone? "I did a thing!"
Gave away some money as an act of worship? "I did a thing!"
Fasted a meal and devoted that time to prayer instead? "I did a thing!"
Stepped out of your comfort zone and walked across the room to talk to someone new? "I did a thing!"
Served on the children's team at church? "I did a thing!"
Attempted to prophesy over someone? "I did a thing!"
Had a go at speaking in tongues or interpreting a tongue? "I did a thing!"
How about this one: did you manage to make it through a day without losing your temper, did you resist the urge to force your opinion on someone, or did you give up your evening to visit a friend in need?
"I JUST DID A THING!"
We rarely allow ourselves to celebrate the things we do. Maybe we're too concerned about avoiding the trap of pride, or maybe we expected those things of ourselves anyway.
If we understood both the challenges and opposition we face as Christians and the heart of God as a Father we might allow ourselves to celebrate more.
Salvation belongs to God (Rev. 7:10) and sanctification comes from God (Romans 8:30). Ours is the task of humbly trying to walk with and obey God and when we do something, anything no matter how small we might think it is we ought to revel in it to the glory of God. So go, enjoy doing 'things' to the glory of God and marvel at what he will do in and through you.