I read a book recently, at the recommendation of several godly women, through which I was surprised to learn how much I had "conformed to this world" in some areas of thinking. Even though I have filtered much of the movies and t.v. and music that I am surrounded by, and even though I have grown up in a Bible-believing church and been taught by a godly pastor and Sunday school teachers, I still had the hairs of pride stand up on the back of my neck as I read and felt slighted at some of what she (the author) had to say. And immediately I wondered at myself, because the author is scripturally sound, and I was having a hard time submitting to it. It just made me have to sit down and rethink alot of things that I never knew I had even formed an opinion about but that somehow I had. (Did that last sentence make sense? I don't know how to word it any better.) I agree with the author, and I highly recommend the book, but I was surprised at what I had learned about myself in the process.
It was my turn to teach the Wednesday Night Live kids last week, and my topic was sanctification. One of the visuals was that of a child wearing clothes that are too big. The idea was that as Christians, we are to "grow up" in Christ, to be sanctified: set apart, made more like Christ. It's such a great visual. I wish I had taken pictures. As I was getting ready, I also realized that as Christians, we want, and sometimes expect, the clothes to fit immediately. I remember being in Mongolia and asking the head missionary there why the Mongolian Christians still lied. His response was that it was in their culture to do it. No one had ever told them that they had to tell the truth. They needed to be taught, and re-taught, what is true and right. Then, they had to make it a habit to choose what is right. It is not in our nature to continually choose what is right.
As for expecting the clothes to fit immediately...I know I have been guilty of both expecting others' "clothes" to fit, as well as getting very discouraged with myself when my "clothes" didn't fit yet. My point is that as Christians, we are all still growing. I can't give up simply 'cause I'm not there yet. I'll never be there...in this life; on this earth. No one else will either. It is something I too easily forget. I can be pretty hard on other people, as well as myself.
So how do I continue to grow? Another section that has been a mantra for the past couple of weeks:
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be diqualified."
1 Cor 9:24-27
I guess, since I've been running, that verse has had dual meaning for me. Getting up early and running is neither natural nor easy for me. I have to buffet my body and make it get out of that comfortable, warm, topped-with-the-best-down-comforter-ever, bed and go wear myself out. Likewise, it is not natural for me to have the mindset of Christ. It is something that I must work at and pray for more of. And then I must listen and obey when I hear Him direct. How many times, as a child, did I hear my parents say, "I need you to obey me the first time I tell you"? How many times has God said the same? How many times would I have avoided failure in so many areas if I had obeyed the first time?
It's all about forming new habits...willfully buffeting my body and mind into turning from that which separates me from my Lord, and running (consistently, mentally, emotionally) to Him. To run in such as way as to win the prize.
The book I mentioned earlier: "Created to be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl.
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