Stop Treading Water!

             Now you know that I’ve been a Christian for 59 years.  If you think that means that I’ve had it all figured out for 59 years, you are badly mistaken.  My walk with Christ has been a learning experience.  I must admit that the first thirty years were more like treading water than growth.  These past twenty-plus years have been much different.  So, what changed?

            In the first half of my life, sadly I seldom consulted God about my major life decisions.  In high school, I was very interested in ministry but at that time, the ministry was not an open door for women, so I followed my second love which was law and justice.  When I graduated from law school, once again I chose between two job opportunities without consulting God.

The change came when difficulties arose in my life, difficulties that I could not resolve on my own.  Once I realized that I couldn’t change the situation; only God could.  I put it in His hands, took a step of faith, and He worked it all out in His time.  As other difficulties arose, He became my first source of wisdom and guidance, not my last.  Each time, regardless of the outcome, He reaffirmed that He was always faithful.  As I look back now, I see how He worked through my life, moving me forward despite the decisions that I made without Him, to bring me to where I am today.  I can truly relate to the line in the song “All my life you’ve been faithful; all my life you’ve been so, so good” (Goodness of God by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson).

            The second part of my growth began when Scripture became a priority in my life.  I had always read my Bible but studying it was a whole new concept. That first began when I began to teach a women’s small group, followed by a Sunday School class.  Teaching, if you do it well, requires you to be in the Word.  There will always be background, context, and deep dives to try to understand what you are teaching.  Many times, you may agonize over whether what you are saying is accurate.  All that means that you will need to spend time in prayer and Bible study, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He opens your eyes to a greater understanding. 

            In addition to my studies, I also joined a Scripture Memorization Group.  After close to 25 years, four of us are still engaged.  While I can’t quote every verse that we have learned over the years, I do have a much better understanding of the Scripture and specific verses often come to mind in various circumstances.  That too has grown me closer to Christ.

            The choice between treading water and growing is the first decision that we each must make after accepting Christ as our Savior.  Today my faith in Christ and my relationship with Him is stronger than it’s ever been before but only because I stopped treading water.  If you want to grow in Christ spend time with Him in His Word and surrender the decisions of your life, both big and small to Him.  You won’t regret it.

Ephesians 3: 12 & 2: 18

Psalm 119: 105; Acts 17: 11

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