Maybe not Perfect, But Practice Does Refine
My 1960’s 126mm camera took “memories.” After 5 decades of training and practice, 8 cameras, and hundreds of rolls of film, I have improved significantly.
Four decades ago, with a fair bit of coaching and practice, I learned to waterski without skis. Yeap, barefoot. And I have the pictures.
A year ago, I started learning Spanish (Empecé a aprender español.) – and still need LOTS of coaching and practice.
Success in most areas of life typically require training and practice.
Raising children
Marriage
Vocation and career skills
Astonishingly, even following Jesus
A happy marriage consists of two good forgivers. ROBERT QUILLEN
Yet many “Christians” consider 30-minute sermons and serving others each Sunday morning to be adequate training and practice. Even the commands given by Jesus seem to be glossed over like an unpronounceable name or ignored as ‘the fine print.’ If you think I’m exaggerating, name 5 of Jesus’ commands from memory.
Did you know that this spiritual stagnation has been an issue since the early church?
Hebrews tells of many in the church who had plateaued after adopting a few significant changes in their mannerisms. They had no interest in probing further into the many facets of new life in Christ. They never grew past being an infant.
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 NIV
How do you know if someone is still an infant Christian? Look around as this is the status quo in the American Church. Sure, their behaviors mimic Jesus when around other followers of Jesus and may even leak into their life when no one notices. But everyday problems have a way of disrupting their façade and revealing their true face.
For example, someone wearing a WWJD bracelet hits their finger with a hammer, do they do what Jesus would do? What about when they drop their new phone and shatter the screen?
Instead, after the throbbing eases and the air clears, creative rationalizing works to save ‘face’ and hush the Spirit.
Ever hear one of these ‘ration-of-lies’?
After all, my temper is understandable. Didn’t Jesus demonstrate His temper in the temple when He overturned the money maker’s tables.
I drive with the flow of traffic. It is safer to keep up with the flow, right? I mean, who obeys speed limits made by those men appointed by God to govern?
My struggle with porn is because my ‘her-mones’ are just so much more powerful than Jesus standing there looking over my shoulder.
Like those followers noted in Hebrews 5, most of us are content with the ‘easy to digest basics’ of being ‘forgiven’ and ‘saved’ and prefer to be naïve about “distinguishing good from evil.”
Consider video games. Would role playing one of these games be considered as practicing the command: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)
No? I suppose ignorance does allow one to enjoy a realistic fantasy slaughter.
So which are you?
Are you the infant who has plateaued, only able to fathom the elemental truths of God’s Word? Or do you more closely resemble those who are engaged in training and practice “to distinguish good from evil” and endeavor to respond to life’s challenges in ways that cause Father to smile?
If you find yourself on that plateau, only taking in the elemental truths, but want more, then start looking for others to imitate. Search for someone who is a bit ahead of you in practicing the presence of Father. Since they tend to keep a low profile, you may have to go on a treasure hunt. But if you look in the right places, you will find them.
They may be parents raising their children in the knowledge and ways of our Creator.
They may be visiting inmates or helping them transition when they are released.
They may be digging through a pile of donated clothing to help another find something that would fit.
They may be the ones cooking or serving food to homeless men, women, and children.
They may be visiting those who are sick or elderly and completing neglected chores around their home.
They may be teachers, either volunteering or by career.
They may be volunteers traveling into disaster zones to hand out water or food.
These followers of Jesus that you want to learn from and imitate will be humble, understanding people. They will listen to your challenges and walk alongside you as you endeavor to respond in a way that causes Father to smile. They will be characterized by:
an attitude of gratitude,
a commitment to trust Father with life’s challenges
being genuine and vulnerable, readily acknowledging areas they are working to improve
praying for others, including the leaders God has appointed. Abstaining from criticizing or judging them.
teaching by example and word. Remember, ‘more is caught than taught.’
When you find such a man or woman who is endeavoring to practice His presence in their life, grab as much time as you can with them. Watch them. You will often catch more than what they intend to teach you. Ask questions. Help them in their life’s chores so that teaching you is not an added burden.
CALL TO ACTION
Right now you have a choice to either pursue training and practice to become one who distinguished between good and evil or make no changes and continue being an infant tossed about by the stormy waves of this world.
What is your choice? Remember, ‘to not decide is to decide already.’
