Stepping Stones: “I need to wait until I …”

March 24-25, 2012

Transformational Thought

True or False?
“It’s freezing! Don’t go outside without a coat. You’ll catch a cold!”
“Don’t crack your knuckles like that! You’ll get arthritis!”
“Shaving causes hair to grow back faster and thicker.”
“You only use 10% of your brain”
“The rhythm method of birth control always works.”

These are all false. Yes, many of us have believed these to be true, but they aren’t. They are common myths and life is filled with many other myths. In general, a myth is a widely held but incorrect belief. Even though Christianity is about the truth, many myths actually exist in Christianity. These beliefs actually impede or even derail healthy Christian behavior and growth.

A prevalent myth among Christians is the belief that we need to wait for something in order to further our faith. Like, wait until I … learn more … mature more … am done hurting … find the right Bible …find that great teacher who really connects with me … get done with that big work project … get the kids off to kindergarten … get the kids into college … get back from vacation … get in a good small group … just get a couple things off my plate … give up my addiction… have time … have more time…really sense God’s presence and guidance … have my next crisis … have someone to mentor me … can take a class … tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. Get the picture?

How many of these have you used? Yeah, me too! I even have a few I’m too embarrassed to let you see. I bet you do, too. Quick reality check: do you think these reflect God’s timeline or Satan’s? And don’t say “God is in control of everything and the timeline is always His timeline.” He wants us to grow in our faith NOW. Sure, He can use our feet-dragging in powerful ways, but He calls us to grow in every circumstance, not just when we feel like it.

Today’s scripture tells us that we can do immensely more than we can imagine … according to His power that is at work within us. We don’t need to wait … in fact we can’t wait. We are already behind. People are dying each day, and even though we don’t save them, God wants to use us to advance His kingdom. Your lack of growth dims His glory and leads to your further suffering.

Today, push the myths out of your mind and take that next step toward living the life of Christ. Start to grow your faith now by doing one thing a little more than usual. Pray for an extra 3 minutes, listen to God for 2 extra minutes, or read the Holy Bible for an extra 5 minutes. Honor God in your parenting. Resist that extra cookie or drink. Cut down your coffee. Control your emotions for 5 extra seconds. A little more is possible … now. Be disciplined with this and you will definitely see the benefit quickly. Edging Forward helps you move forward one step at a time. Quit being lazy and using lame excuses (I was the master of sophisticated but lame excuses). You are only hurting yourself. Life is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I admit and confess that I let so many myths and falsehoods keep me away from doing Your work … and ultimately they keep me away from You. I ask that You fill me with the Holy Spirit and the gift of discernment to help me eliminate non-productive myths. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One whom you sent to testify to the truth, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Pilate said, "So you are a king?" Jesus responded, "You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
John 18:37