When God Whispers Your Name by Max Lucado:
I like the story of the little boy who fell out of bed. When his Mom asked him what happened, he answered, “I don’t know. I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.”
Easy to do the same with our faith. It’s tempting just to stay where we got in and never move.
Pick a time in the not-too-distant past. A year or two ago. Now ask yourself a few questions. How does your prayer life today compare with then? How about your giving? Have both the amount and the joy increased? What about your church loyalty? Can you tell you’ve grown? And Bible study? Are you learning to learn? …
Don’t make the mistake of the little boy. Don’t stay too close to where you got in. It’s risky resting on the edge.
I love this illustration. There is such a wonderful truth, such an irresistible challenge in it. Sometimes we stay in our comfort zones because we think that’s where we’re safe. But the truth is, we are on the risky edge of the place where we got in. Any moment we could fall out and land on our heads.
Our sermon at church yesterday related to this quote in a way. It was about the goal of the Boise Vineyard — to turn disciples (those who are taught) into those who disciple/teach others.
I remember those first months after I was born again. Actually those first years. I was so hungry to learn, to be taught, to soak it all in, to absorb like a sponge. I read my Bible all the time and attended Bible studies and prayer services. I wanted to know and to understand all the wonders of God. But how worthless, how selfish, is all that knowledge and understanding if it is just for me? How sad if I had stayed there, too close to where I got in. I need to learn so that I can teach. I need to take in so that I can, in turn, give out to others.
I’m so thankful that God taught me early on the need to be planted in a local body of Christ. You can be a Christian without a home church where others know you, but you’ll be an unhealthy one. God meant for us to be in fellowship. And fellowship means more than just sitting in your usual seat on a Sunday morning in order to keep it warm. It means becoming part of a family. It means intimacy, open-hearted sharing, exposing our true selves, warts and all.
Are you on the edge of where you got in or are you involved in the body of Christ?
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
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