Stumbling Block part 3
I know I claim a lot of verses in the Bible as my favorite. I can't help it. I think the Bible is great. Anyway... here's another of my favorites: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us srip off every weight that slows us down, especialy the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us" (Hebrews 12:1 NLT). I think a lot of the time we struggle with things that we need not struggle with. A lot of the time we make mountains out of molehills. We give power to things that have no power. We stumble when we don't have to... or shouldn't. I know I've been focusing on us not putting stumbling blocks in front of each other. Living in a way that helps and doesn't hurt others. But at the same time, it's important for us to make sure there are no stumbling blocks in our own road. To know that everything is under our feet. And I always kind of liken that idea to Jesus walking on the water. Which, to me, never seemed like a big deal to Him. The quickest and most efficient way to get where He was going--out to the boat the disciples were on--was just to walk out there. To Jesus it didn't seem to matter if it was dry ground, or water, or what. And I think that's a good mindset to have. I think we psyche ourselves out a lot of the time. We get stressed out about things that might or might not happen. We get all worked up about things that really don't even matter. When what we ought to do is strip off every weight that slows us down. The KVJ says lay aside every weight. We always want to fight, when a lot of the time we should just lay is aside. Don't even bother with it. What you feed--whether positively or negatively--is what will grow. If you don't want something (or someone) in your life... starve it. Don't give it (or them) any of your three T's (Time, Talent, Treasure). When you engage, that's when you empower. Especially if that's what they want. A lot of times people are just looking for that reaction. A lot of times people just want you to give them what they're looking for. So if you don't react, you are setting clear, healthy boundaries. In some cases, the only way to win is to not play. The only way not to stumble when there's a block in your road... is to know that it's under your feet. And the best part about that revelation is that even though we don't always see all things under our feet... we see Jesus. We are overcomers because HE overcame. You don't have to try to overcome in order to succeed. You have to know that--in Him--you already have. Jesus fought, and won, the war to end all wars. Which means there are no more wars left to fight. He brought the valleys high and the mountains low. Which means the road--the Way--that we are on is straight and narrow. And it leads to LIFE. The abundant life of love that Jesus came for us to have. What I'm saying is, we can run the race with endurance. Even when it seems like a long and winding road. Even when it seems like there are twists and turns and life keeps throwing us curveballs. We can stay the course. We don't have to let every bump in the road wreck us. We can check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. We can keep on keeping on knowing that it is God who holds us up and keeps us from falling. He can, in fact and in truth, keep us from stumbling at all. When we invite Him into every situation and circumstance. His Word (which is Jesus, which is love) is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Showing us not only where to go, but how to get there!