Shift Happens... On Purpose!

Shift Happens... On Purpose!
Current mood: Alive and Well!
Category: Life

When I was a mere 14 years of age my dad got the bright idea that he was going to teach me to drive his 1974 F150 Custom pick up. It was a three-on-the-tree standard... a frightening endeavor to say the least!

It's interesting to me how that experience mirrors my own spiritual journey, especially when it comes to going to new levels and growing in my faith.

For example to grow spiritually and get to the next level you need these things: Guidance, Timing, Power, and Experience.

Guidance. Isn't funny how we think we can somehow do it alone? We pride ourselves on our independence... our ability to go it alone. It's a good thing Dad was sitting in the passenger seat the first time I popped the clutch on that truck! In the same way, we need those who have gone before us to "show us the ropes" in this walk of faith.

Timing. You can't just start out in third gear! Trust me. I know... I tried! You have to go through the gears in the proper sequence. In the same way we can't skip any steps on the road to spiritual maturity. Are you trying to skip some steps in your faith experience right now? Go back to the proper gear! That may be why you're stalling out!

Power. You have to constantly be accelerating in order to shift to the next gear. When you are stagnant spiritually, you can't shift to the next gear without stalling your spiritual motor! I remember Dad saying, "Give it more gas!" Perhaps our Heavenly Dad is saying the same thing! So step on it! LOL!

Experience. Theory is great... to a degree! But at some point you have to get behind the wheel, turn the key and give it your best shot. So many Christians read endless books, go to conferences and listen to teaching tapes and CD's and yet they never get behind the wheel and step on the gas! They are stagnant, stalled out and set back.

So, let's get behind the wheel and take this baby for a spin! Yes, you might lurch and stall a bit, but keep trying, you'll get the hang of it!

Enjoying the Drive,Jimmy aka Pastor JMSCC AbileneLoving God - Loving People - Loving the World!