Confessions of a Non-Flosser

This post is a reprint from a series of reflections leading up to my 2010 trip to Nicaragua. I have found myself revisiting it as I continue to ask God to give me the desire to do the things that I need to do. After studying Romans 7, I realize that even when my heart is in the right place, the struggles continue. I need God's grace in moments of weakness and His power to change my heart and my mind.

Ok. I admit it. I don’t floss. I went to the dentist several weeks ago and was once again reminded that I NEED to floss. I WANT to take care of my teeth. I take care to use the right toothbrush, brush for 2-3 minutes, use the right mouthwash and in most other respects take very good care of my teeth and gums. But I just don’t like flossing. It doesn’t seem natural to me. It takes a long time, particularly trying to reach in between those back teeth; it’s uncomfortable wrapping the floss around my fingers; and then of course there is the saliva, which just makes it icky to mess around in my mouth too long. Oh, I know there are solutions that can help. Honestly, though, I want to take care of my teeth, but I just really don’t want to floss. I am sure that if I made up my mind to do it, I would find a way to make it less uncomfortable and maybe even a little more joyful, but flossing is not something I have a burning desire to add to my morning or evening routine.

Sometimes there are other things that are like flossing to me. There are things that I know I need to do. God’s directives are sometimes very clear to me, and yet, I don’t want to do them. I don’t even want to want to do them. Some of His commands just don’t seem natural to me. They make me feel uncomfortable or icky – like loving my enemies or presenting the Gospel to a close friend.
I respond to God the way I respond to the hygienist. She asks about my flossing, and I pretend to listen; I assure her that I understand the importance; I even floss a little while I am there to show her that I know how to do it. But then I take the free sample of floss and go home with no intention of changing my habits. I ignore her advice and choose to stay with my comfortable routine. I ignore the opportunities to share my faith with those around me. I give my money, but do I really need to care about those who are hurting or poor or different from me? I rationalize and I ignore, satisfying myself with my own meager efforts that never require me to be uncomfortable or to give sacrificially.

I know, though, that I am called to care, to respond, to give, and that as Christians, we all are. We are called to move beyond the ickiness, to love our neighbor, even when he is annoying, and to share our faith, even when it is awkward. We are called to care about the people in our neighborhood and the people on the other side of the world.

When I go in for my regular checkups, I hear Him reminding me of those truths. He chides me - sometimes gently and sometimes firmly commanding my obedience. He shows me the plaque building up and the consequences of sin. He shows me those hurting and those in desperate need of His love and His truth. So I confess my sin, and repent, choosing to follow and this time, sincerely desiring to change. I choose to move beyond the ickiness and to follow His lead. Even though it may not come naturally at first, with practice hopefully it will become a familiar part of my routine, one that will help fill cavities of a far more serious kind.