03/14/2022
What is it that causes us to move, most of the time it is because where we are has become uncomfortable, and in this way the allure of the slightest good beckons us to come. Most of us like to remain where we feel comfortable, and once we have put down roots we are reluctant to change, but not changing also means not growing. The shepherd knows this bout his sheep, and God knows this about us, so the shepherd drives his sheep to new pastures, and the Lord urges us towards a stronger faith with every storm we encounter.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV
Yes, we are creatures of habit, and shy away from change. We justify remaining where we are with sayings such as “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”, or “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”, but if we dig in and refuse to make changes in our life then we will only know those things about life, and God, that are within our limited reach, or hear what is within earshot. Our infinite God wants us to be ever increasing in our knowledge of him.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”
Hebrews 6:1-3 ESV
These verses do not mean that we are to abandon our faith for another, but to build upon it. Jesus is referred to in scripture as the cornerstone; so we are to build our faith and understanding by laying stone after stone atop Him. We are to use Him to align the house we are building, not simply to sit atop Him and call this our home. Becoming accustomed, staying put, and refusing to grow, can easily be our inclination if we adhere to our own nature.
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
Proverbs 3:1-2 ESV
Like earthly parents who love their children want them to exceed them, and have far greater advantages than they have had, Jesus wants what God wants… that we continue to grow, and to do far greater things than He has done. We don’t do this without increasing our knowledge, and experience. In faith man has grown from knowing of God to knowing Jesus Christ, and now we are learning and growing further yet with the help of the Holy Spirit.
““Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.”
John 14:12 ESV
Growing… we are meant to grow in our faith, but if we are not careful we will have found that one pearl of great value and be so satisfied with gazing at it that we will sit in our tent and stare at it all the days of our lives without continuing to search for yet another precious gem to join it in our treasure chest. Our liturgy can be like this. We pray the same words, sing the same songs, take communion at the same place and time in our worship, and practice the other rote things of religion without seeking more, and they become like a prison to us. We look no further for God, or Jesus Christ, because we think we already know them, or are satisfied with what we currently know of them. Without change, or movement, we will cease to be living water, and over time will become stagnant. The woman at the well did not go home unchanged, and we should not either… living water flows. Jesus was in constant movement throughout His life, and we should be too. We should be seeking, and building upon our faith.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18 ESV
So…. Just as the shepherd calls to his dog and uses his staff to drive his flock into greener pastures, and parents places their children in challenging new situations to grow them by the experience, so it is that God allows storms to come into our lives to shake us up; so that we will be brought closer to Him by our need for His help, and intercession. A sickness can move us, a death can cause us to challenge our faith, a failed business can bring us to our knees asking for provision, and in all of these things, and more, we learn new things about His person, and our relationship with Him grows.
Are we complacent in our faith? Do storms come and go without our looking for God in them? Are we satisfied with praying the same prayer before every meal, or each night before slipping into bed? Do baptisms no longer move us, or weddings seem to be routine? Do we hear the hymns that used to move us, and yet our eyes remain dry? If this is true then we need to stir up our stagnant life of faith. We need to walk into the wilderness, or prepare ourselves for the raging storm that is on the horizon… because our Father desires us to know Him better.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for every storm in our lives, and for prodding us along the way of our faith as we come to know you more. Thank you Lord for Jesus, and for your Holy Spirit, because in them we have been increased in our faith, and belief. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is infinite, and wants us to walk forevermore into the eternal discovery of who you are. Praised be your name for every storm that blows us into a new safe harbor with you. Praised be your name for each nudge of your staff that turns us back towards you, or out onto the sea of faith once more. Teach us new things Lord, like Jesus taught His disciples when He washed their feet, and gave them bread and wine. Wash us clean with the blood of your Son, and forgive us our sins in this His sacrifice. Change us, transform us, and call us worthy in Him. Then seat us at your table, and speak to us for all eternity of who you are, and call us your children in whom you are well pleased… ever increasing, and becoming ever more like you.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
Rich Forbes