Growing God’s Way! 5-3–26

Welcome to the word for the week. There is something that is a serious sign of growth in Christ. That is when you recognize not only that you need more from God but that you are lacking in some areas in order to move forward. There is nothing wrong with this. Again, it is called growth. It is that point in life when you know there’s more but you also are honest to say maybe you are not quite as ready as you need to be. Maybe you still need developing in some areas. Maybe God is not through with you. Maybe there are still a few more things you need to see and experience. Maybe there are things you need to get rid of. Maybe there are some things you need to take on. The point is you should want to truly be ready.

It would be nice if we all had everything together. We do not and the truth is we never will in this life. That is the point for this week. There will always be something you need to work on. There will never be a time when there is nothing else left to do. There will never be a time when you have nothing else to look forward to. This is actually a blessing. What is God trying to do in your life? Notice I did not ask what do you want to do. I said what is God trying to do in your life. This has nothing to do with your ambitions or dreams. This is about what God is preparing you for. We have been talking about preparing for a long time here but let’s go further. God is trying to fix you where you are not lacking anything you need. He is trying to make you where you are at least able to take the right steps and be sure those are what He desires for you. That means a few things of courses so you already know we will get into that part.

We hear the term in Christian circles called a prayer warrior. We understand that to mean someone who you can count on to pray in times of need. Have you ever considered what it takes on their end? They have to have a life of prayer for themselves. They have to be at a point in life where there is no doubting God. They are sure it is His voice when He speaks. They are sure it is His commands they are following. They are sure He hears their prayers. They are sure God is still there in the moments of silence. They are not sidetracked. They are not ambitious. They are patient. They know the power of waiting. They trust God while waiting. They know the power of standing still. They know the power of going to sleep in the midst of chaos and trusting that God will still be working things out overnight. They are spiritual soldiers. They are not concerned about themselves and their own affairs. They are concerned about the kingdom of God as a whole.

To get to that point means they have gone through countless storms. Prayer is not optional, doubt is a trick of the enemy, God’s voice sounds natural, His commands are not grievous, they know He heard their prayers, and silence just means God is at work. They are steadfast and unmovable. They walk in surety with God. Standing still feels natural and they know to get out of God’s way after they pray. That takes time. You have to be forged in the fire for that but it’s worth it. You have to suffer but it’s worth it. You have to cry but it’s worth it. What makes it worth it is because they know God. That is the point. Everything God is doing in your life that may not feel good is helping you to know Him better. The storms harden your resolve to hang in there. The fiery trials teach you that you will come out and not smell like smoke. The floods teach you that you won’t drown. Nothing is just happening in your life. Everything has a reason and everything is right on schedule. Relax, God has this under His control. Nothing can happen without Him and you were already promised His best!

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you in His grace,
Bishop Carlos J. Lennon