Mustard Seed part 5
We learn and grow. As we begin to understand what we have, and USE what we have. Faith is like a muscle, right? It grows as you use it. Taking baby steps becomes walking on water (walking on the Word). So to finish this Rant series, here's what I want to say: Give yourself (and each other) a break. Don't expect too much of yourself (or each other). Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Liberty, or freedom, to try things. To, again, learn and grow. To fall, and get back up. And if you fall, and you need help to get back up... that's ok. Because we're all in this together. We're all part of the same body of Christ. All different branches on the same vine (or Tree). So, like I said, let's give each other a break. Let's not plant a seed and then immediately dig it up and hollar at it because it isn't producing fruit yet. Let's let things mature in their own times. Rome wasn't built in a day. Which is why I always say, "If you want something different, do something different. Unless you're building something. In which case, stay the course." A mustard seed starts out small, but it grows into the biggest tree. Baby steps are ok. Two steps forward and one step back is ok. Stumbling and messing up is ok. Look at Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." And before we go any further, let me just say: Walking after the Spirit means letting the Spirit lead and guide us. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. And He leads us and guides us INTO all truth. The truth that the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hands. The truth that God is YOUR heavenly Father and YOU are His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. Walking after the Spirit simply means following your heart. It means walking in love. That's how we experience this abundant, everlasting, eternal, Resurrection Life that is the gift of God. We experience it by letting Jesus--God in the flesh, love in a body--live HIS OWN life in us, and through us, and as us. And it starts small. I always bring up the cookie story. Where I was at work, and I had a cookie on my desk. And I was literally drooling over that bad boy because I was big time looking forward to eating it. Until a co-woker happened to mention how hungry they were, and how they didn't have a lunch that day. And before I even knew I was doing it--without even thinking about it, because it was simply my nature--I gave my cookie away. Something small, right? Just a cookie? But it was pretty big to my co-worker. And I never forgot it, so it was pretty big to me too. AND, it was a stepping stone. A building block. When its that easy to give away something small, it becomes easier and easier to give away more and more. Which is what love is. Love is giving. So back to my original point: There is NO condemnation in Christ. Mistakes are ok. U-turns are encouraged. You don't have to be society's idea of "perfect" because you have the Perfect One living inside you. And the more He reveals His perfection (or maturity, or perfect LOVE) TO you, the more it comes out THROUGH you. And the seed, that started out so small, begins to grow. And fruit (that lasts) begins to come forth. Because what's inside WILL come out. When you know and believe its in there.