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So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:28-29 (NLT)
Somewhere along the line we have bought into the idea that there is a disconnect between being a Christ-follower and being intelligent. The media often portrays ‘religious’ people as being some sort of anomaly that is out of touch with society, reality and in some cases just plain dumb!
Here’s a news flash for you. It’s not true. Being a follower of Jesus Christ does not mean you are less intelligent, less in touch with reality or stupid. Don’t let the enemy tell you any differently. We don’t follow a bunch of empty, unsubstantiated rules and stories that religion dreams up. We don’t place our faith on empty tradition, fancy dishes, or ‘new revelations’ that came from some mountaintop experience.
Perhaps one of the reasons we are maligned as being out of touch with reality and disconnected from ‘true science’ is the fact that ‘wisdom’ and ‘intellect’ are often misunderstood. Someone can be very intelligent, but not very wise. I had a college professor once who was perhaps the most intelligent and interesting person I’ve ever met. But he couldn’t figure out an overhead projector! (Those of you under 30 may want to Google overhead projector to understand that last statement!)
I also know some people who, by the world’s standards, aren’t very intelligent at all but are extremely wise. People who have never finished high school but are making six figure salaries because they didn’t let the fact that they didn’t have a fancy piece of paper on their wall keep them from being successful.
In the spiritual realm it’s our wisdom, not our knowledge of spiritual things, that will enable us to help others (and ourselves) grow strong in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
The wise follower of Christ will be able to discern what those around them need in order to begin or grow in a relationship with Christ. Learn how to use the tools we have to build strong godly lives. Learn to listen more than preach; to love more and criticize less; to accept differences without demanding our own way.
The Apostle Paul was an extremely intelligent, highly trained teacher in his day. But he writes to the Colossians and reminds them that it isn’t his intellect that brings others to maturity in Christ. Others grew in their relationship because Paul’s teaching was based on God’s wisdom and Paul’s tenacity and refusal to give up.
Grace says, “I know the right way. I know you are on the wrong path. But I will love you and rely on Godly wisdom to gently show you a better, more joyful way. Show your wisdom by showing others God’s grace.
PRAYER: Father God, I get angry when I see people I love and have concern for going down the wrong path. Help me in my frustration to remember that they will not change because of my knowledge. They will not grow because of my preaching. Like plants in the garden they will only become fruitful by my tender loving care and a refusal to give up on them. Empower me with your Spirit of wisdom to help others grow in you. Amen.
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. Colossians 3:10 (CEV)
I’ll be honest with you. I’m not a runner. Never have been much of a runner and don’t really intend on becoming one. I love walking much better. When I’m walking I can enjoy the scenery more than when I’m gasping for breath. I’ve also noticed that when you are walking and you meet another walker, they smile and may even say hi. Runners? Not so much. Every runner I’ve met has either just passed by in a blur or were too busy grimacing to respond to my greeting.
If you are a runner and enjoy it, God bless you. I think you’re crazy, but that’s not important.
In spite of my disdain for running I have to admit that it does have it’s benefits and much of what you learn about running can aid you in life in general.
Take for instance the long distance runner. I have a friend who loves to run marathons. He’s run in several major marathons across the country and even though he’s never one a major one, he loves to compete in them and set a goal for where he will place. He considers himself a winner if he meets or exceeds his goal.
One thing I’ve learned from him as we’ve talked about his hobby is the importance of pacing yourself. When he begins a marathon he’s well aware that he can’t sprint the entire distance. He’ll burn out way to quickly. The distance runner learns how to ‘listen’ to his/her body, when to push, when to lay back, when to stop. The distance runner is aware of distractions but focused on the prize at the end.
A few years ago the story is told of a young runner who got confused on a race course. He was one step away from going to the state tournament and was favored to win at state. Tragedy struck however when he became confused and ran the wrong way. He realized his mistake and turned around. He didn’t get to go to state because of his miscue, but he finished the race well.
That’s what life is really about. Running the race, finishing well and realizing that distractions and disappointments may come but they will never keep us from the ultimate goal, the finish line.
That’s what Grace is about. Grace isn’t about winning the race, it’s about finishing. Grace isn’t about running a perfect race, it’s about running. Grace isn’t about performance on self but reliance on Jesus Christ. Religion demands perfection now. Grace knows perfection is both immediate (through Jesus’ sacrifice) and future (when our faith is made complete in his presence).
When you ask Christ into your life your eternal destiny is finished, but the race must still be won. You may not finish well, but you will finish. You may not run a perfect race, but you must run. You may be distracted, stumble or go off course. But you can always come back.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you that through the forgiveness Jesus offers my eternal destiny is settled. I realize I must still run the race. Thank you that you aren’t surprised when I stumble, go off course or don’t run to my potential. Empower me to strive for excellence in my running for your sake. Amen.
I am the LORD your God. I am holding your hand, so don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 41:13 (CEV)
The parking lot was as treacherous as a hockey rink. I walked gingerly around the car to let my two-year-old out of the car seat. I offered my hand in support so that he wouldn’t fall on the icy surface. However, my belligerent son ‘knew better’. “I can walk by myself!” He announced, having confidence in his newfound independence.
I, on the other hand, knew how quickly one can slip and fall. Since he was inexperienced, I insisted that I hold his hand. We continued our ‘discussion’ for a few moments until an idea came to my mind. A compromise of sorts that he reluctantly agreed to. I would offer my finger to his small hand. He in turn would agree to hold my finger until we reached the safety of the building.
After he grabbed my finger I wrapped the rest of my hand around his small hand. He thought he walked across the ice with no problem. I knew that his real support came from my large hand which enveloped his.
At times we are afraid because we don’t know what the future holds. There may be times when we see the road ahead and see no way out, no safe way to succeed. There may be times when we confidently push forward, not realizing until it’s too late that we couldn’t handle the challenge before us.
Isaiah reminds us that just as I wrapped my hand around the hand of my over-confident two-year-old, our Heavenly Father wraps his hand around ours. It doesn’t matter what lay ahead. It’s not important how you got to the place you are in life. He is there walking beside you.
I kept my two-year-old from falling and hurting himself. He slipped on occasion. A couple times he landed softly when the ice was too slick. But together we made it through. In the same way, there may be times when you stumble. There may be times when you fall. In every situation Your Heavenly Father is there to uphold you and protect you.
As a loving father, God will do whatever he can to help you, his child, through the tough times of life. There may be pain. There may be struggles. You may fall. There may even be pain. But he never leaves your side.
Don’t be afraid. Don’t feel like you are going this struggle alone. The God of the universe has his hand wrapped tightly around yours. He will never leave you.
PRAYER: Father God, I’m scared. I’m going through things right now I never thought I’d be faced with. I went ahead on my own power and now I’m struggling to stand. You promised you will always be with me. Help me today to feel your presence in a whole new way. Let me feel your hand wrapped tightly around mine. In Jesus name, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 