Once we commit ourselves to following Jesus, our lives are compared in Scripture to a journey. Our lives are no longer to meander aimlessly or to be directed toward self-centred and self-determined goals. Rather we are now on a journey to a heavenly destination with Jesus as our focus and purpose. God has a unique purpose for each of our lives. Our part is to discover God’s purpose for our lives and to progress at the pace He sets. We read in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We are saved by God’s grace and we continue by God’s grace for a new and God-given purpose. The picture I get in my mind when I read the passage above is of a path with the footprints already marked out and my job is to put my foot into the next step by faith. I have always found this very reassuring as I never felt very clear about where my life was going and I was in danger of setting my sights far too low out of fear and anxiety. The Lord has impelled me into many things that would have previously seemed to me to be far beyond my abilities to cope with let alone thrive in. God’s plans are much higher that ours!
For those who have the opposite problem of being too self-directed and driven, the Lord’s plans provide a less frenetic pace and are ultimately more fruitful and sustainable.
In either case, there is to be steady walk along the Lord’s path. Sometimes things go very quickly indeed and other times things seem to go at a slow and steady pace. But what if we are slogging along like we are going through mud—really bogged down and not making any real progress?
Light is shed on this in Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
When we feel bogged down in our journey, it is good to pray and ask God for wisdom and discernment (see last week’s posting “Where can Wisdom be found?”). What is it, Lord, that is bogging me down? Different things can hinder and weigh us down. Hebrews 11 tells us to throw off everything that hinders. If you know what it is, ask God’s help to get rid of it. If you don’t know, ask God to show you. Lord, what is the real problem? What is at the root of this issue?
The writer of Hebrews goes on to tell us that sometimes it is an area of sin that seems to easily and repeatedly entangle us. Ongoing repentance is the key. Some things are harder than others to be freed of. The important thing is to admit to yourself and to God that it is an issue and not to sweep it under the rug, ignore it or deny it. Sometimes we need to seek help from a trusted friend, prayer partner, counselor or spiritual director. There are programs such as Freedom Session that are offered by our church and other churches.
Where there are repetitive patterns of sin there is usually some area of emotional or mental pain (such as a painful past experience) that needs to be brought into the light and healed. This process can feel worse before if feels better but it is a necessary part of our journey with the Lord that leads to greater freedom and fruitfulness in our lives. In my experience, it is unquestionably worth the trouble to bring things into the light. One of the things we need to throw off in addition to denial is shame. When something is kept secret or hidden, it festers. It doesn’t just go away. The sins or compulsive behaviours are symptoms. The root or roots (sometimes there are several) must be dealt with. When something is just kept to oneself, it becomes magnified. Often someone feels they are the only one who is struggling and everyone else is fine. This is the lie that the enemy of your soul uses to keep you trapped.
Many people have experienced trauma of all different kinds and severities including sexual, physical and verbal abuse; alcoholic or addicted parents; divorce, abortion and losses leading to unresolved grief. You are not alone. Others have experienced such traumas and are being healed.
Sometimes, as the writer of Hebrews says, the issue is opposition from others that causes us to be tempted to grow weary and lose heart (see previous posting “Don’t give up”). Ask the Lord to encourage and strengthen you and get prayer from and with others. There are prayer partners available during communion and after morning prayer at both Sunday services. We all face this kind of opposition from others and from the enemy himself from time to time. That is why God puts us in a body of believers so that we can support and encourage one another. Everyone who names the name of Christ should be open to both giving and receiving such encouragement. If you are not doing both, there is the block you need to overcome right there.
God desires to bring light, healing, freedom and fruitfulness. But we must ask Him and be open to His direction in dealing with whatever blocks or impedes us. We must have courage and step out in faith and trust.
One last point—seek those who are compassionate and honest with themselves and others in dealing with these issues of the heart. Ask the Lord to guide you to those who will be genuinely helpful. The Lord is able to do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine.
In this Epiphany season of God’s love, may we all be freed of everything that hinders so that we may run with perseverance and joy the race that is set before us.
[stream provider=youtube flv=http%3A//www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DtH4OVm8nzXk%26feature%3Drelated img=x:/img.youtube.com/vi/tH4OVm8nzXk/0.jpg embed=true share=false width=580 height=325 dock=true controlbar=over bandwidth=med autostart=false /]
