Only Out of Obligation

This quote was taken from part of a longer essay. It really struck a cord with me.

"Last Sunday the preacher talked about witnessing and evangelism, and you really felt convicted. Now it's Saturday night, and you just know that tomorrow he'll ask you how you applied his challenge to extend the Kingdom of God. Nervously you pick up the phone and dial the number of your friend from work. He picks up the phone and you exchange the normal greetings until he asks, "So why'd you call?" Your heart is beating wildly in your chest, your breath is short, your palms clammy, "You wouldn't want to go to church with me tomorrow, would you?" There, it's done, you're in the clear. You tried. You can report your suffering for Jesus tomorrow morning. "

Why am I so prone to act like this? Why can't being like Christ be more instinctive? It is frustrating to live in the flesh, but desire the eternal. I think I have realized that it is mainly through taking risks that my natural reactions will be altered into something with more Kingdom purpose.