This past week I went hiking up the Hollywood Mountains. The weatherperson said that it was going to be in the high 90s on this July day. So, I made sure to drink my protein first thing and then pack enough iced water, bug spray, sunscreen and a protein bar. It was early morning when we started and it was hot, so hot that I had to wet my hat to keep me cool and so happy that I had my iced cold water with me, which quenched my thirst as I walked. This hike was for endurance building, not one for speed.
Because I forgot once again to take my allergy pill, the only way I could breath with a stuffed nose, was through my mouth. I walked huffing and puffing up all the steep inclines. Yes, embarrassed that others heard me, but either I breathe or die! LOL!
Others quickly passed me with less equipment than I had, which made me wonder how could anyone do a 6 mile hike without water. Their insides must be crying out for relief! I asked my hiking buddy this question. She responded, "They probably hydrated themselves prior to the walk." I responded, you can only hydrate yourself so much, I would think they would still need water for the duration.
Many of these people that walked quickly past me seemed to be in good health, laughing and talking with their friends. Watching them brought to my attention how some Believers can look good on the outside, trying to live on Sunday's or Wednesday's sermon, or involved in their church by doing helpful things based on their skills that they have acquired and not based on the guidance and leadership of the Spirit.
Jesus says to Philip in John 1:43
"The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
The moment that we answer God's call, the Spirit enables us to follow. But what does it take to be successful in the Christian walk? No, this is not going to be an expository on the subject, but more of my thoughts on what works for me; daily preparation. For example, I have to wear the right shoes and clothing for each hike and my mental attitude has to be right. My thoughts have to be directed to the right focus or goal; I have to look beyond the heat and the pain. Each hike for me is a separate experience from the one I took before and it will be different from the one coming in the future. Even my preparation during the week can affect a hike 5 days away. If I start my day eating junk food, I have a choice to either stop or continue. Because I know, that if I indulge in too much junk food, it will impact me in some way.
What keeps me hiking in heat and pain is the goal to accomplish those things which I couldn't before. In other words to make my physical failures a lie and my physical victories...true. Each victory moves me to the next level!
What keeps me walking with Jesus is His love for me and knowing that I will be with Him one day. Your goals, hobbies or focus may be different, but if you are a Believer, we all have the same plan and same basic instructions...The Holy Bible.
If you wonder why you quit on those inclines, consider what preparation you have done. What does your spiritual life revolve around?
Is what you are doing taking you to victories in Christ or do you wake up thinking about communing with the Lord and then never attempting to get around to it because of excuses? Have you allowed yourself to become complacent with other things?
Why do we fail? Simply, because we don't execute our spiritual life like we do other things in our lives. Eventually, if we don't allow the Spirit to be dominant we will see gaps in other areas in our lives.
I don't know the next mountain that I am going to hike, but I have a mental list of the places I would like to adventure. Some of these places I don't know what the terrain is like. Regardless, the unknown isn't going to stop me. I am going to do my research and ask my advanced hiking friends questions about the land, paths, etc. Same with the Lord, He is taking me to new places that I have never been. As long as I communicate with Him on a daily basis and allow Him to lead, everything is going to be okay and I will get through each day's situations. When Jesus asked me to "Follow Him" the adventure began.
For myself being diligent and preparing my heart with His Word is what will keep me successful and transform me to the person He sees me as, but it is important that I see it too. Each adventure with the Lord is different and deeper. I don't want to be the person who talks about what I did years ago, I want to be that person who always has something new to share on how God is working in my life! I want to be so overwhelmed with His Spirit and know that it was God who made things unstoppable for me. I want to be left speechless!
1 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." NKJV
No comments:
Post a Comment