Tonight's Word 🌱

"Not that I have already obtained it, this goal of being Christlike, or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that perfection for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own."

- Philippians 3:12

QUESTION: What does a slippery salmon and a rip-current have in common? Continue reading 😎

Have you ever tried to swim upstream in a river? For those who have, they often say it is a tiring process, sometimes even futile for those who are not strong enough swimmers. There is a particular fish that has been known to do this very thing, at least once in its lifetime. The salmon, who is usually born in fresh water (rivers), tend to live most of their lives downstream in the ocean. When it is time for them to lay their eggs however, they instinctively return to the areas they were born, which unusually requires for them to find their way from the ocean back to the rivers, and successfully swim upstream. 

I have another analogy I have been reflecting on. Have you ever listened to the experience of someone who has gotten swept up in a rip current and managed to survive? It is rather frightening. The pull is so strong, they get carried away much further than they planned, often to much deeper and unsafe waters. Fighting against it to get back to ones original safe zone tends to be an exercise in futility, and oftentimes, as a precaution, persons are instead advised to swim across the current rather than against it, as a way to escape it.

Why these two analogies? What do they have in common? 

ANSWER: They both require effort in a different direction, a bit of counter-intuitive actions, and to a certain extent, I cannot help but make the connection with tonight's scripture. It describes Paul's experience on the Christian's path as an upward journey that Christ has placed him on. The Christian's life can be described as going against the grain. According to the dictionary, this means to 'go contrary to the natural inclination or feeling of someone or something'. Why are we called to walk differently? We are called to be like Christ, and Christ was indeed different. His example was one of humility, simplicity, strength, wisdom, righteousness, heavenward purpose, connection with His Father, and mission-mindedness. Worldly desires and ambitions were placed low on His priority list, and instead, he pressed on in His heaven-appointed earthly mission. It must have taken a deal of effort to ignore the desire to 'live his best life' according to worldly standards during his short stay on earth. He chose to not settle down in one place, but rather, uproot and move according to where the needs of people were and where His purpose needed to be fulfilled. It must have taken a bit of effort to not live passively but, instead,  purposefully live. It must have taken a bit of effort to accept the fate of the cross and not save himself. It must have taken a bit of effort to see me and you in the future, and choose to live differently to set an example and be our salvation. Christ made efforts on our behalf so that we can be made whole through Him, by faith and grace.

At times, I reflect on my Christian experience. We may not be called to do some of the things that Christ did, but we certainly are called to allow God to work in our own lives, to transform us, to grow us, and it requires a bit of cooperation, learning to give up certain things, learning to think of others, and paying attention to our inner man (or woman). I reflect on my own growth, the things I struggle with, the areas I need to improve in, and the promises of the Lord. I also reflect on the reflexes of my faith muscles. Do they respond well to circumstances that require walking by faith and not by sight? Or are they prone to complaint at the slightest inconvenience? Is my first friend and role model Jesus? Or do I constantly seek external validation, at the expense of my authentic self and a peaceful, sincere and growing walk with Jesus? 

Tonight, it is my encouragement, and I hope yours too, that as we spend time reflecting on the life of Christ, that we make room for growth and adjustments to our own lives. Let's keep our eyes on Him, and allow Him to have His way in us.

Prayer: 

Lord, Thank You for the gifts of life, health, strength. As we live, help us to not take these for granted, and to enjoy and appreciate them. Be with us, as we also seek to develop our strength spiritually, that You help us where we cannot help ourselves. Hold our hand and pull us to yourself, strengthen our feet to walk and run toward You, strengthen our eyes to see things through Your eyes, strengthen our will to want and strive toward what pleases You. May your loving influence have its way in our life. May we be in tune with You, now and going forward. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Be encouraged by the following hymn, which is a beautiful prayer in song. 🎧🙏🏽

Higher Ground [Lor]