Checkpoints 1, 2, 3... Are you where you need to be?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Have you ever played a Mario Brothers' racing game, where you have to go through those little "checkpoints" that let you know you're getting closer to the finish line? Depending on the version of the game, when you reach the "checkpoint," sometimes things change - the scenery looks different, another obstacle can get thrown in the road, or nothing happens at all. But, that checkpoint is significant because now you know that you have gained a substantial amount of ground, but there's still more to cover until you cross that finish line.
Of course, because God can use every and anything, He gave me the idea of spiritual "checkpoints." These are the moments in life where you have to evaluate yourself and your walk with God. Are you where you need to be? Are you where you want to be? Are you even going in the right direction? The way I see it, in order to move to our next level, we have to cross our own checkpoints...
Checkpoint 1: Look how far you've come - Usually in the Mario Brothers' racing game, there are 3 checkpoints, and then the finish line. The checkpoints are set up at an equal distance, and there's usually an obvious banner with a chiming sound that lets you know that you've passed your checkpoint and gained some good ground. When you've reached Checkpoint 1, you have only gone about a quarter of a mile, but it's a good motivator, because you know that you are on your way. You're no longer just out the gate, but you've already gained some measure of success.
When you're saved and building a deeper relationship with God, at some point, you begin to see that there are things that you don't do anymore that were once second nature to you. I was so proud of myself this year, because I noticed that I was able to work closely with someone who I couldn't STAND a year ago. And not only could I work with this person, but I should show patience and compassion for her, too. So I said, "God I thank You, because I know that it's Your spirit working in me." Because according to 2 Corinthians 4:7, the power to do that was not my own, but it was God's, and He gave it to me.Whereas a year ago I wouldn't have given this person the time of day and thought nothing of it, I could (and do) stop and have a conversation with her, listen to her without judging her, and try to help her find solutions to some of her problems. Not to say that she still didn't work my nerves, but I got over it much more quickly. It's amazing to see how you can grow when you let the Lord have His way.
Checkpoint 2: Identify your weak spots - In the game, sometimes the terrain changes, and you can face distractions. Something may get thrown in the road, there may be a new, dangerous territory you have to cross, or the other racers can catch up to you and pass you. If you're competitive like me, that's the ultimate no-no, and you'll mess yourself up trying to keep up rather than staying the course that got you there in the first place and strategizing how to catch up.
In your spiritual walk, situations will change. People may die, you may lose close friends, you may have to enter a new phase in your life. Or, not. Things may stay the same, you may become comfortable and familiar with your life the way it is, and feel that it's all good. The thing is, though, it's never "all good." No matter what's going on, 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" The enemy looks for any angle, any door that he can enter to drag you down. He uses personal tragedy, discomfort, anger, even comfort and happiness to distract you and take your focus away from God.
This year, while I was celebrating my victory in getting along with certain people better, something in my attitude shifted. I wasn't expecting it to, so I wasn't watching it. It wasn't until I got into a heated argument with a friend that I realized how off some of my thinking was. And I was ssoooo convicted. And even more so because I had just read in my Bible that morning warning me against the very thing I ended up doing. So I said, "God, I thank You for showing me the error of my ways. I repent for my attitude, and everything I said that was wrong. Please forgive me, and help me not to do it again." How many of you know forgiveness rocks??? It covers EVERYTHING, and you get to start fresh! God is so awesome!
Checkpoint 3: Keep pushing toward the next level - Somewhere between Checkpoint 3 and the Finish Line, you get excited, especially if you're in the lead. The race is almost over, and the title is in your reach. The thing is, you can't get lazy, or the others will catch up to you and pass you. You can't lose your concentration, or you'll end up going off the trail. You have to keep pushing, and keep going forward.
The same thing goes for our walk with Christ. We can't stand still and think that God will be pleased. Paul said in Philippians 3:14, that we are to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." It's always about moving forward.
God has blessed me so much this year. He has revealed so many things to me, and even allowed me opportunities to share some of those revelations. But I continue to seek Him, and His will for my life, because no matter how much I grow, there's more to come. And now He has put it in me to turn around and help those who are coming behind me. And every day I trust Him more and more because I know that He won't fail me. He loves me, and the more I submit to him, the farther He'll take me. So I say, "Thank You, Lord, for all that You've done, and all that You are doing in my life. I know that Your ways are not my ways, and Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Therefore I put my trust in you, and I believe that You have given me a hope and a future. Amen."
The only true Finish Line we have is when we make it to Heaven. But there's always room to elevate, to improve, to perfect. We are supposed to be holy, because Christ is holy (1 Peter 1:16). We can't allow ourselves to be unaware, unmoving, and vulnerable. Let's keep going people! We got a lot to do!
Have you ever played a Mario Brothers' racing game, where you have to go through those little "checkpoints" that let you know you're getting closer to the finish line? Depending on the version of the game, when you reach the "checkpoint," sometimes things change - the scenery looks different, another obstacle can get thrown in the road, or nothing happens at all. But, that checkpoint is significant because now you know that you have gained a substantial amount of ground, but there's still more to cover until you cross that finish line.
Checkpoint 1: Look how far you've come - Usually in the Mario Brothers' racing game, there are 3 checkpoints, and then the finish line. The checkpoints are set up at an equal distance, and there's usually an obvious banner with a chiming sound that lets you know that you've passed your checkpoint and gained some good ground. When you've reached Checkpoint 1, you have only gone about a quarter of a mile, but it's a good motivator, because you know that you are on your way. You're no longer just out the gate, but you've already gained some measure of success.
When you're saved and building a deeper relationship with God, at some point, you begin to see that there are things that you don't do anymore that were once second nature to you. I was so proud of myself this year, because I noticed that I was able to work closely with someone who I couldn't STAND a year ago. And not only could I work with this person, but I should show patience and compassion for her, too. So I said, "God I thank You, because I know that it's Your spirit working in me." Because according to 2 Corinthians 4:7, the power to do that was not my own, but it was God's, and He gave it to me.Whereas a year ago I wouldn't have given this person the time of day and thought nothing of it, I could (and do) stop and have a conversation with her, listen to her without judging her, and try to help her find solutions to some of her problems. Not to say that she still didn't work my nerves, but I got over it much more quickly. It's amazing to see how you can grow when you let the Lord have His way.
Checkpoint 2: Identify your weak spots - In the game, sometimes the terrain changes, and you can face distractions. Something may get thrown in the road, there may be a new, dangerous territory you have to cross, or the other racers can catch up to you and pass you. If you're competitive like me, that's the ultimate no-no, and you'll mess yourself up trying to keep up rather than staying the course that got you there in the first place and strategizing how to catch up.
In your spiritual walk, situations will change. People may die, you may lose close friends, you may have to enter a new phase in your life. Or, not. Things may stay the same, you may become comfortable and familiar with your life the way it is, and feel that it's all good. The thing is, though, it's never "all good." No matter what's going on, 1 Peter 5:8 says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" The enemy looks for any angle, any door that he can enter to drag you down. He uses personal tragedy, discomfort, anger, even comfort and happiness to distract you and take your focus away from God.
This year, while I was celebrating my victory in getting along with certain people better, something in my attitude shifted. I wasn't expecting it to, so I wasn't watching it. It wasn't until I got into a heated argument with a friend that I realized how off some of my thinking was. And I was ssoooo convicted. And even more so because I had just read in my Bible that morning warning me against the very thing I ended up doing. So I said, "God, I thank You for showing me the error of my ways. I repent for my attitude, and everything I said that was wrong. Please forgive me, and help me not to do it again." How many of you know forgiveness rocks??? It covers EVERYTHING, and you get to start fresh! God is so awesome!
Checkpoint 3: Keep pushing toward the next level - Somewhere between Checkpoint 3 and the Finish Line, you get excited, especially if you're in the lead. The race is almost over, and the title is in your reach. The thing is, you can't get lazy, or the others will catch up to you and pass you. You can't lose your concentration, or you'll end up going off the trail. You have to keep pushing, and keep going forward.
The same thing goes for our walk with Christ. We can't stand still and think that God will be pleased. Paul said in Philippians 3:14, that we are to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." It's always about moving forward.
God has blessed me so much this year. He has revealed so many things to me, and even allowed me opportunities to share some of those revelations. But I continue to seek Him, and His will for my life, because no matter how much I grow, there's more to come. And now He has put it in me to turn around and help those who are coming behind me. And every day I trust Him more and more because I know that He won't fail me. He loves me, and the more I submit to him, the farther He'll take me. So I say, "Thank You, Lord, for all that You've done, and all that You are doing in my life. I know that Your ways are not my ways, and Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Therefore I put my trust in you, and I believe that You have given me a hope and a future. Amen."
The only true Finish Line we have is when we make it to Heaven. But there's always room to elevate, to improve, to perfect. We are supposed to be holy, because Christ is holy (1 Peter 1:16). We can't allow ourselves to be unaware, unmoving, and vulnerable. Let's keep going people! We got a lot to do!
Definitely enjoyed this post. Now that a new season is upon us and we only have a few months left in the year, I'm looking back on my growth and how my relationship with God has changed me for the better. I know I have a long way to go, but I remind myself that it takes time. But I'm coming out of habits that used to be so hard to end. So I can relate to you when you spoke on making mistakes and catching it earlier than you used to.
ReplyDeleteI have faith that more changes will take place in our lives. As I set my goals for the winter and early 2014, I continue to put at the top of the list to get closer to God. And I'm a firm believer that the only way we change is if we act with the intent to change. Otherwise we'll end up in circles.
"So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." --- 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
Thanks for sharing this post :)