Speedlimits, Amended

So... I've been thinking about that last one. I think I need to slightly amend that idea.

I really think that while we need to not condemn ourselves for growing slowly, that idea--that we shouldn't judge ourselves or feel guilty for not being at the same place as another--needs to NEVER become a cop out. Unfortunately, that's what often happens... we begin to understand that there's a freedom, and that begins to be our constant excuse for why we aren't better.

For example, we fight legalism and works-based righteousness... and many of us extend that into an excuse for why we don't need to do anything... well, God loves me for me, and I'm saved because I believe... we talk about not wanting anything to get in the way of that, and we wouldn't want our salvation to be based on what we do... which is true, except that we still need to work!! We still need to reach out and serve and give and love.

I listened to Donald Miller preach a little while back... he talked about the excuse we have for why we don't do certain things: too many of us say, 'well we had this dream but God closed the door'. Now I believe God closes some doors, but what means a door is closed?? For many, a closed door is a plane ticket that is too expensive, or supplies that are hard to come by. For many, a closed door is working with people with whom we don't want to be forced to interact. Miller said, and I tend to agree, that these are just excuses!!

So while you ought never do something JUST because the guy down the road does, we should never let that become an excuse for being lazy.

Speedlimits

I drove up to Kansas City yesterday... had to get my car serviced. On the way home, going maybe 80, this lady starts creeping up on my bumper and passes me... no big deal, really, except that she got past me, and pulled in just in front of me, and slowed down!! Slowed down enough that I started creeping up on her!! Her stinking motivation had nothing to do with getting down the road faster, and everything to do with getting past me. Her speed was dictated by MY speed. Rather than pay attention to a standard and allow her speed to be set based on that standard, she changed her speed regularly based on what was happening around her.

You know, too many of us live our Christianity like this. We work hard at something not because we should or because God has pushed us in this area, but because we see someone else doing it better. Our churches work at improving media not because it helps ministry but because the church down the street is doing it better. We read the entire Bible not because we desire to know scripture, but because we don't want to seem like we're less devoted than our spiritual siblings.

Why?? Know what I mean?? Isn't that retarded?? I mean no offense, but perhaps God has a "speed limit" for all of us?? Perhaps He doesn't expect you to do exactly what Billy Graham does... perhaps he knows you personally and bases his expectations on knowing you.

I talked in youth the other night about walking on ice... I was getting in my car and my foot started slipping just from the pressure of "pushing" to get in the car. When you push too hard on ice, you slip. When you take too big a step, you'll slide. I think the same is true about spiritual growth... we have to take small steps, and not expect to move too fast... growth happens at a snail's pace sometimes. When we're born as babies, we don't realize how slowly we grow, but when we are born spiritually, we expect to grow fast!! But growth still has to come slowly. We truly are babies... it's not necessarily that we HAVE to move at a certain pace, but that we can't base our growth on other people, but on how God moves within us.

And sometimes that pace isn't as fast as the guy down the road.