Why You Should Choose To Be A Stick-in-the-Mud

My goal in life is to choose to be a “stick-in-the-mud”.

Allow me to explain.

Some time ago, I heard someone express the following:

“I’m a Christian, but I’m no stick-in-the-mud.”

What does that even mean? I wondered.

I’ve reflected on that statement over the past weeks, and, though I am unsure of the speaker’s original intent, their statement brought to my mind some personal experiences.

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Stick-In-The-Mud Definitions

First, my research led me to the following definitions of stick-in-the-mud:

An Initial Analysis

After reviewing the definitions, I determined that I may actually be ‘a stick in the mud’, depending on which definition you use. If referencing the Oxford or 1828 versions, I am definitely not a ‘stick in the mud’, for I do not consider myself to be dull, unadventurous, heavy, sluggish, or without life. And I certainly wouldn’t consider myself to be without spirit.

The Merriam-Webster definition, on the other hand, nearly describes me with perfection, for I very much consider myself to be:

• slow (to follow the crowd)
• old-fashioned (in the opinion of the world)
• unprogressive (to the ways of the world)
• an old fogy (to those who don’t agree with my choices)

So there you have it! I am a Christian and I choose to be a stick-in-the-mud.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Natural Man

How exactly did I come to be a “stick-in-the-mud”, you may be wondering? Well, it has everything to do with my attempt to rid myself of the ‘natural man’ and bring myself closer to God.

I’ve got to warn you, however, that being a “stick-in-the-mud” is not for the faint of heart.

Being a stick-in-the-mud demands sacrifice.

It requires courage.

It takes a willingness to stand alone.

It’s not easy.

Personal Examples

To help you envision what I am referring to, let me share a few personal examples:

When I choose to be a “stick-in-the-mud”, I find it difficult to relax in the same way others relax. Take watching movies or TV shows, for instance. While many enjoy spending a relaxing evening in front of the television, I have a difficult time doing so on a regular basis. 

Sure, my children and I enjoy a good, carefully selected, movie at home once or twice a week, but these aren’t just any movies. 

After spending years eliminating certain things from our home entertainment, including movies with language, immorality, and violence, I found myself becoming resensitized to the things to which I had once become desensitized. Anything that was offensive to the Spirit was now uncomfortable to me. 

This change has brought wonderful blessings into our lives, but has caused some problems socially. It has interfered with our ability to relax in ‘normal’ and ‘culturally acceptable’ ways.

For instance:

• teenage children are openly criticized, even at a church functions, for being unfamiliar with culturally popular movies, books, and music
• Adults are openly criticized for sharing unpopular opinions about popular television and book series

A Weakened Resolve

It is not easy to be in the minority and, occasionally, my resolve weakens.

After standing stalwartly for so long, resisting the crowd, and missing out on the “relaxation time” that others seem to enjoy on a regular basis, there have been times when I’ve caved to the social pressures of the world.

There have been times when I have just wanted to relax in front of a good movie and not have to worry if it has anything in it that will offend the Spirit.

Here are three times when I did just that:

Girls’ Night Out

One week, my mom and sisters came from out-of-town to visit. We researched movies and found one in a nearby theater that looked interesting and unoffensive. 

While in the theater, after becoming enthralled in the story line, the main character began to swear repeatedly. I shuttered, but was determined not to be the one (yet again!) to walk out of the theater first. After all, can’t a girl just relax and watch a movie for a change? 

I remained in my seat, acting oblivious to the offensive language that was now flowing on screen, and said nothing. 

A quarter of an hour passed. I was even deeper into the story line when I was assaulted with another onslaught of language. This time, my mom and sisters leaned over and whispered, “Should we leave?” I nodded, and we left the theater. 

Frustration began building within me.

Why is it impossible in our culture to relax in front of a movie without one’s Spirit being offended? I wondered.

Where is the quality entertainment that enriches, not detracts from, the soul? 

I was determined to not be a “party-pooper” by leaving the theater first. In the end, I was deeply disappointed in myself for not doing so. My family, too, shared that they were surprised to see me sit through so much of the movie. 

No amount of relaxation, I told myself, is worth the loss of the Spirit. I was determined to never let this happen again.

Unfortunately, I did.

A Recommended Series

One night as I prepared for bed, I thought, “I just want to be able to watch something entertaining tonight.”

I’d heard much talk from friends and acquaintances about a new TV series. I found the series on my iPad and watched the first episode. It was amazing, and I quickly found myself attached to the characters and storyline. 

During the second episode, however, something in the show made me feel uncomfortable (the loss of the Spirit). Despite the difficulty in walking away from the characters and storyline, I chose to stop watching the series. 

Some time later, after learning that a well-respected member of our community enjoys watching that series each week with his family, I decided to give it another go. After all, if trusted people I know watch it, it must be okay. 

I did my best to sit through another episode, for I really wanted this relaxation time. However, there came a moment when my actions could no longer be justified. What was taking place in the episode was morally inappropriate, based on the word of God, and I did not like the feeling I was feeling. No judgment against the individuals who recommend it for watching, but I knew that I could not watch it. This time, I was sure that I would never let something like this happen again.

Unfortunately, I did.

Amazon Prime

Just this weekend, in need of some down time, I looked up a television series on Amazon Prime that had been recommended to me. The first episode was incredible and, once again, I became quickly attached to the characters and storyline. 

Sadly, Episode Two had foul language in it, but rather than stop watching, I simply hit the mute button. At least this way I could watch the story unfold, even if I couldn’t hear it. 

Things were going well with my justification process (the movie won’t detract from the Spirit if I can’t hear what they’re saying, right?), until the next episode, which included a bedroom scene. 

OFF went the series, and ON went my determination to never let this happen again.

I have grown accustomed to being uncomfortable around anything that offends the Spirit. I do not want to do anything to change that.

I choose to be a stick-in-the-mud.

Final Analysis

Will I mess up again in the future? Probably.

But it will simply serve as a reminder that a little relaxation and entertainment (be it TV, movies, books, or music) is never worth losing even one ounce of the Spirit.

A Constant Companion

Spencer J. Condie shares,

“In modern revelation, the Lord provides us with a strategy or formula for retaining the gift of the Holy Ghost so that the Comforter may abide with us continually:

‘Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

‘The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever’” (D&C 121:45–46; italics added).

Dare To Be Different

Allowing virtue to garnish one’s thoughts unceasingly is impossible for those who take part in popular world culture.

Boldly dare to be different.

Dare to raise the bar.

Dare to be virtuous in a world that shuns virtue.

Strive to rid yourself of the “natural man”.

Yes, choosing to be a “stick-in-the-mud” demands sacrifice.

Yes, it requires courage.

It takes a willingness to stand alone, and it is definitely not always easy.

But I can promise you that it is so worth it!

“…in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” ~ President Russell M. Nelson

Invitation

Yes, my goal in life is to be a “stick-in-the-mud”.

Join me?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Drop me a line in the comments below!

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