Have You Settled?
For the past twelve weeks I have been involved in a study using the book of ACTS as our guide. During that time, many questions have been raised about one’s relationship with God. One question that has stuck in my mind is, “Am I settled in my faith?”
I thought back to the time I was baptized, as part of my confirmation class’s graduation ceremony. I was in ninth grade and, along with the rest of my class, was baptized in front of our congregation during the main Sunday morning worship service.
How did that change my life? I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and vowed the two great commandments, “I shall love the Lord, thy God, with all my mind, with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul. I shall love my neighbor as myself.” But in truth, I felt no spiritually different from the moment before I was baptized.
Even though I felt little change, I did want to become a better Christian. To build my relationship with God, I became involved, as a student, in church activities and after graduating became even more involved. As time went on, my relationship with God was like riding a cork screw roller coaster, gradually climbing upward anticipating the excitement of reaching the summit. With my hands raised high I could feel the awesomeness of being on top of the world. Then...
The real truth of the world appeared to me as I soon discovered that there were forces ready, willing and able to bring me down. And down I came, very, very fast. No longer were my hands raised freely in the air but grabbing onto anything that I felt could keep me secure. This roller coaster had some rough twists that I was totally not prepared for. While others around me seemed to be gliding on a comfortable ride, I felt like mine was just warming up, and wondered if there was ever going to be a smooth ride for me.
It wasn’t until a series of traumatic experiences, in a beastly part of my roller coaster adventure, that I was forced to change seats and experience my spiritual ride from a different perspective. Then, I began to see why my ride felt so different. EPHESIANS 6:12,13 “For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.”
I have chosen to take on whatever my wicked roller coaster tries to defeat my will with. I was already doing just that, but it wasn’t until a change in seats and a better understanding of what I possess, that it became clear. I will not settle for a smooth ride, because that will not strengthen my spirit or my faith, and it would not fulfill God’s will for me. I am excited and look forward to the rest of my ride, with hands raised high!
How is your ride? Have you settled for a smooth safe ride or chosen to wear God’s armor and experience the ride of a lifetime?
For the past twelve weeks I have been involved in a study using the book of ACTS as our guide. During that time, many questions have been raised about one’s relationship with God. One question that has stuck in my mind is, “Am I settled in my faith?”
I thought back to the time I was baptized, as part of my confirmation class’s graduation ceremony. I was in ninth grade and, along with the rest of my class, was baptized in front of our congregation during the main Sunday morning worship service.
How did that change my life? I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and vowed the two great commandments, “I shall love the Lord, thy God, with all my mind, with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul. I shall love my neighbor as myself.” But in truth, I felt no spiritually different from the moment before I was baptized.
Even though I felt little change, I did want to become a better Christian. To build my relationship with God, I became involved, as a student, in church activities and after graduating became even more involved. As time went on, my relationship with God was like riding a cork screw roller coaster, gradually climbing upward anticipating the excitement of reaching the summit. With my hands raised high I could feel the awesomeness of being on top of the world. Then...
The real truth of the world appeared to me as I soon discovered that there were forces ready, willing and able to bring me down. And down I came, very, very fast. No longer were my hands raised freely in the air but grabbing onto anything that I felt could keep me secure. This roller coaster had some rough twists that I was totally not prepared for. While others around me seemed to be gliding on a comfortable ride, I felt like mine was just warming up, and wondered if there was ever going to be a smooth ride for me.
It wasn’t until a series of traumatic experiences, in a beastly part of my roller coaster adventure, that I was forced to change seats and experience my spiritual ride from a different perspective. Then, I began to see why my ride felt so different. EPHESIANS 6:12,13 “For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.”
I have chosen to take on whatever my wicked roller coaster tries to defeat my will with. I was already doing just that, but it wasn’t until a change in seats and a better understanding of what I possess, that it became clear. I will not settle for a smooth ride, because that will not strengthen my spirit or my faith, and it would not fulfill God’s will for me. I am excited and look forward to the rest of my ride, with hands raised high!
How is your ride? Have you settled for a smooth safe ride or chosen to wear God’s armor and experience the ride of a lifetime?
posted by John | Saturday, November 18, 2006
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