Moments In The Journey
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
I tend to view things objectively. Yes, there are things that I stand fast on, but I am always open to new ideas and concepts. One of those concepts questioned the very existence of God. The conversation centered on how most developed countries believed in higher power while others did not. The arguments were compelling, and for a moment, it made me ask if there truly was God. After endless conversation and debate, I focused on two key points that always reaffirm my belief. First, the truth that Jesus did exist. While many question this, it has been well documented not only through God’s word but also historically in numerous documents and writings. Second, God’s existence in my life has influenced me to where I came to have a relationship with Him. I hold to those truths that prove foundationally that God is who He says He is.
Yet despite my knowing who He is, I at times struggle in my spiritual journey. There are times I ask myself, “If I know God to be true, why am I not the person that pleases Him consistently ” I love what Paul shared in Romans 7. He said:
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Romans 7:21-23
The thing that I must remember is that while I will have failures, they are but moments in the longer journey.
Our journey of faith is not determined by a specific stop along the road. It is decided by whether we reach our destination to be more Christ-like in the end. My most recent failures are far different and more complex than those when I first decided to follow Christ. In reference to how the Devil attacks us, Steven Furtick coined a phrase in a sermon saying, “Same devil. Different level.” Making note of that very thing, I am reminded of today’s verses because while I am not yet the man I want to be to God, I am far closer to it than where I came from. Paul’s message here is of hope. We are to give of ourselves as God has given to us the gift of eternal life. God continues to mold us challenging our old way of doing things through His word to help us see a new way; His way. It is a reminder that as we learn more of God’s plan, we understand better the person He wants us to be. It is there we begin to change. Furthermore, the true transformational change Paul pushes us toward is continuous. We are always climbing to a ‘different level’ that helps us to become more Christ-like.
Change is hard, but God is with us every step of the way. Yes, there will be times that we do not quite make the grade, but it is important that we acknowledge that it is only a moment in the journey. Not the destination. We must remember that struggles are part of the journey. Therefore, let us continually focus on that journey striving to achieve Paul’s words to Timothy:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Where are you in your journey of faith today? What fight are you in that Paul’s words can encourage you? My prayer is that we keep our eyes not on the moments but instead the journey. Amen.