No shortcuts

(C) 2008, Amy Lewis

Hebrews 6:1: “So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”

Time just has a way of melting away when you’re on the back of a horse. Hours seem like minutes; the world a million miles away. And suddenly, you’re jettison back to reality with one look at your watch. That’s usually when I discover I’m behind schedule and I’m at the furthest point out. I grow restless, looking for a non-existent shortcut. I can’t cut corners. All I can do is trot and canter to cover ground more quickly.

There are other areas of life where there are no shortcuts. An eight second ride can’t be cut short. Earning a trip to the NFR has to be earned over time. Kids head back to school each fall to work toward graduation. No shortcuts.

There are also no shortcuts in our spiritual growth. It is a process guided by the Holy Spirit and it requires our cooperation. We grow in spiritual maturity through Bible study and prayer, and by allowing the Holy Spirit to show us how to live in a way that pleases God. We need to develop a heart for prayer. We can’t take one class and consider our efforts done. The Holy Spirit is continually refining us. He constantly has more to teach us. We need to be willing to learn, step by step, day by day. As we demonstrate our love and trust, God will give us more knowledge and revelations of himself. And as we grow in our faith, allow our faith to be stretched, and follow God’s will, He will take us deeper and deeper.

Do you have a desire to grow deeper in your faith? To be closer to God? What one thing could you do today to move towards him? As kids return to school this fall, what activity could you do alongside them to gain a greater understanding of God and His Word? As they return to the books, will you spend more time in The Book in order to center yourself more fully on Christ? What shortcut or worldly activity might the Holy Spirit be prompting you to eliminate from your life in order to grow closer to God?

Matthew 13:11, “You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge.”

As you grow in your faith through prayer and study, will you thank God that you have been permitted to understand His Truths as not everyone can? It’s a privilege.

Just like there are often no shortcuts when we’re riding or in our training program, so too there are no shortcuts in our spiritual growth. Sometimes the Christian road seems hard and long. The journey, however, can’t be rushed. The reward is priceless.