Small pictures matter

If we are to move forward with Christ, we must realize if we are actually moving, standing still, or falling behind. Until we realize where we are at, there is not much effort we will put into any forward movement. If we are lucky enough to find ourselves moving forward, it could be that Christ wants to put a little more 'pep in our step', so to speak, in getting us to move at a different pace. The sad truth is that many are 'standing still' - allowing movement all around them, but not even realizing how much damage is being done when 'standing still' is our present condition. A flood may come, but the things that survive the flood are the things that can move away from it!

Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14)

In order to move forward, one might need to become discontent with the past. If we are too well attached to the past and the way it makes us feel, we will likely never desire to move forward. Even being too focused on the 'good things' that are happening in our present might not be exactly the right focus for us to have. Perhaps Christ wants us to look at the past with less fondness, be just a little discontent with our present, and yearn for what is just ahead for each of us. Perhaps we hear clearly that it is time to move forward, but have no idea how to accomplish this, or the issues surrounding moving forward make it a huge challenge. When God initiates the movement, we can count on his presence and power to be with us as we take steps forward.

One of the first things we might need to do is realize things can be different in our lives. If we have been so totally attached to our past, it may seem impossible to ever move beyond it. It is though we can see nothing but that part of our lives - it anchors us in stagnation. We might not change the entire world by our forward movement, but we might see OUR world changed. That may not seem significant in the big picture, but every 'big picture' is actually made up of small pictures - take small steps, make incremental changes, and see a 'big God' reveal how your 'small picture' changed the 'big picture' around you. When we move forward, we aren't abandoning the lessons of the past - we are embracing them, having learned something of deep value from them as we lean into the lessons of the present and the preparation for the future ones we are about to learn. Just sayin!

Teetering just a bit?

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. (Havelock Ellis)

We all must learn how to let go and hold on at almost the same time. If you have ever seen a baby learning to walk, you know the tiny fingers hold tightly to the edge of the couch with one hand, while the other is reaching out so desperate to take that first step toward something they desire. It is kind of like that for us as we follow Christ - we long for something different, just out of reach, but we are holding onto something so desperately that we won't let go in order to achieve that end. 

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:21-24)

We 'hear' truth, want to really reach out and take hold of it, but we are holding tightly to what we have come to trust in already. Right or wrong, we won't let go of the thing we believe will give us the security and safety we have come to know. God's plan has always been for us to learn to 'let go' of those things that hold us back and 'take hold' of the things that will help us propel forward (grow). Letting go isn't done in a vacuum because there is always something in sight (just out of reach) that we want to take hold of in turn.

As Ellis said, it is the mingling of the two that actually helps us grow - letting go and holding on. The baby only holds on as long as he sees the thing he desires is finally in reach, then he lets go and takes those steps toward the object of his desire. God may be asking some of us to let go of something that has made us feel 'secure' and reach out to something just a bit out of our comfort zone. Putting off one thing and taking hold of another. When he does, he is prepared to help us take those 'first steps', always there to encourage us and help us should we teeter a bit in our faith. Just sayin!