We Cannot Win The Race If We Don't Run

I don't dream too often so when I woke this morning with a vivid dream etched into my early groggy thoughts I decided it best to revisit the dream. Perhaps there is something here for you.

I was preaching the Word to a small group of people, explaining how it is possible to have slightly different perspectives on the Bible. There is only one truth but we have different levels of understanding of that truth according to the perspective of our maturity and experience. It is similar to the different perspective we have of a room because of our height. My wife is quite a bit shorter than I am so when she walks into a room she notices things I don't and can't see things I can. She may be looking for a letter that is on top of the fridge. From her perspective it is not in the room but from my perspective it is. The truth is that the letter is in the room but she cannot see that truth unless she is elevated to be able to see it.

This is the reason that we should always be open to gaining new insights into the Word of God and into our limited perspective of what God is doing. It is also the reason the Bible tells us that the strong must always bear with the weak, or in other words, the mature must always be patient with those who are less mature. In our living for Jesus God has arranged it that there will always be people for us to learn from and people for us to teach. The question is, how do we gain a greater perspective or understanding of God's Word and our life in Christ? How do we grow?

I can tell you this, you will not experience spiritual growth by sleeping. You will not gain it by hearsay. You will not gain it by staying as you are. It's time to wake-up and realize that a relationship with Jesus takes a bit of work and growth takes effort. If you starve your body of its proper nutrition it will grow poorly and never reach its full healthy potential. There is no difference in our spiritual growth, we need proper nutrition. Peter put it this way:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:1-3)

We cannot expect to be gaining maturity and greater revelation, strengthening ourselves for better service by being a Christian in name only. Some of you used to be on fire for the Lord, filled with such great passion for him and the mission for the lost, but now it is only a distant memory. In my dream I saw myself do something that is impossible in the flesh.

I held a candle out to the small gathering and told them that they were like this candle. It was a simple candle that was no longer lit but the wick's tip was glowing red and there was a thin wisp of smoke coming from it. I told them that they had allowed their passion to go out, the flame to become extinguished. But here is the thing we must understand:

"God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)

Just because we have failed him does not mean that we are stuck in that failure. Just because we walked away or set aside our calling does not mean that it has been removed from us. Just because we allowed the attraction of sin to distract us from the glory of God does not mean we have been abandoned. God's grace and mercy are far greater than we could imagine because his love is greater than an ocean. Come humbly to him, repent and see him breathe life back into you with his forgiveness. In my dream I turned to the candle and blew on it. Instantly the ember kicked into flame and the room was washed in the warm glow of the candle.

Return to your passion. Return to your walk. Return to your Lord and continue with your growth. There is so much more to learn, to know, to grow into. Do not think that the little you have achieved is all that exists. We can spend ten life times growing and still not learn all there is to learn in the Lord. I have no idea where you are in your spiritual walk but this one thing I do know, you have only begun. He has promised to take you to the place where eagles soar so keep at it, don't give up. Let's accept this encouragement from Peter:

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Get to work and don't give up! Fan the flame Lord!