There has been an accusation that has come against a number of
saints who have been walking with the Lord for a few decades: the accusation is
that you’re not as “cutting edge” or as “willing to risk” as you used to be,
and the accuser probably will add that you’re “becoming lukewarm” because of
that. He may add a sense of disappointment, failure, or hopelessness to that.
While
there may be some believers for whom that is a true story, I believe that most
who are hearing this accusation are hearing a lie.
The
truth is that we’re measuring wrong; the enemy is pushing us to measure our
experience. It used to be that we could tell when we were taking a risk by the
level of adrenalin (or fear, or excitement) that it produced. It used to be
true that we could tell that we were “cutting edge” because the people we hung
out with stretched us. That was the old way.
But
this is not that day. Many saints who have walked with God for many seasons
have learned the lifestyle of walking
with God, and as a result, the decision to “risk” with God is no longer scary,
no longer “edgy.” It’s just the way you live. It's like an old married couple:
you're comfortable in that relationship, and comfortable deferring to your
spouse.
“Risk”
(particularly the risk of actually believing God, rather louder, better
publicized voices) is part of your daily life now, so adrenalin or fear is not
part of the conversation. Of course you walk on
water (metaphorically, at least); that’s how you get from here to there. It’s
just a commute now. Will I really trust God’s provision instead of either the
regular paycheck or the unemployment check? Of course! Next question.
There
are a few reasons why risk doesn't appear as
risky as it used to:
The
first is simply experience. You’ve learned that it’s safe to actually trust
God, and you have a number of years behind that trust. I've known some people
who base jump: they first time was scary; the thirty-first time is not so much.
It's fun, but now it's comfortable. The risk isn't nearly as apparent as it
once was.
You’ve
also changed your perspective. As John put it, “You know Him who is from the
beginning” (1John 2). When you’re used to seeing Him, the threats of the world
aren’t as impressive. You're not apathetic, but "This could be it!"
doesn't mean as much when you're used to walking with the Creator.
But
there’s a purpose that’s bigger than you in all of this. Whether you are aware
of it, whether you can even see it, you’re breaking trail for others behind
you. There are others who are watching you, watching to see if the life of
walking with God that you’ve chosen will actually work in this day and age.
There are youngsters following you, some close, some at a distance, and a few
from the bushes where they hope you can’t see them, but they're learning how to
walk with God by watching you walk with him.
If
you’ve been paying attention (either to the Spirit or to the news, or both),
you can see that "the times, they are a changin’!" Let me be blunt:
God has been preparing you for these times. You’ve learned how to walk in
victory even when things are hard, even when the way is obscured. That’s how
you developed confidence with Him. The young ones following you haven’t needed
to do that yet, but they will. Some of them have considered it a great trial
when their iPod battery wears out, and they don’t even know how much they need
to learn about following God when the world goes sideways.
Jesus
said, “In this world, you will have tribulation” (John 16:33), and he was quite
serious. You’ve learned that the rest of that sentence is also true, and you
can teach the young ones. “But be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world."
The exhortation is twofold:
First, reject the accusation that you're lukewarm. (Unless you are, of course.) Don’t even waste your time with the topic. You’re following God, and you’re pressing in, but it isn’t as scary as it used to be, because you’ve got history together. Keep up the good work!
First, reject the accusation that you're lukewarm. (Unless you are, of course.) Don’t even waste your time with the topic. You’re following God, and you’re pressing in, but it isn’t as scary as it used to be, because you’ve got history together. Keep up the good work!
Second, pay attention to the youngsters (of whatever age) that are following
you. God has given you to them because they need you. And frankly, they’ll
encourage you; they are, after all, part of your reward.
“…let us throw off everything that hinders… and let
us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12
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