Keep Pressing On

I press on​ toward the goal for the prize

​  
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

- Philippians 3:14

God Wants Four-Year-Olds

8/11/2011

1 Comment

 
Are you so worried you might do something wrong that you will not take a risk in your service to God?  In her too short book, "John Wesley: Christian Revolutionary," Mildred Bangs Wynkoop explains what it means to give ourselves to God as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1-2).   She writes that we are to be....

A virile, vibrant organism.  The figure reminds us of a four-year-old getting into everything, climbing, jumping, bothering everyone, asking questions, challenging parental authority sometimes, but alive.  A living sacrifice is a vital, living person, busting with life, impulsive, individualistic, eager -- with all this put at God's disposal.  ...God is willing to take the risk.  In fact, he is not only inviting the risk but pressuring us to invest our resources with Him.  He surrounds us with all the aids, guides, guards, mercy and chastisement needed to direct this energy into spirital maturity.  
A "living sacrifice" may think some new thoughts-plan some new plans.  A Luther is apt to burst out of the bondage of mediocrity and shatter precedent.  A Wesley is apt to find his heart warmed again and go crashing into a too-comfortable church and stir it up.  He may go running out into the fields - or into the ghettos - where a sin-saturated culture needs the well-harnessed dynamic of a Christian who cares about people.  God needs people who don't quit thinking and challenging life when they become Christians. Heaven isn't here yet.

Have we become to cautious, too careful, too comfortable or too catatonic in our faith. to risk dynamic service for our Lord?  Let's get out there with energized, creative service to God and allow His Holy Spirit to shape, transform, chastise and encourage us along the way.
  

1 Comment
courtney
8/11/2011 07:39:14 am

I think because it is almost required to be SO politically correct and not "insult" someone, it has pushed Christians pretty much into the closet. Everything else is so acceptable but believing in GOD is being closed minded. Believing and serving like a 4 year old is a wonderful way to strive to be like when serving the LORD.

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    I can plod. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.
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    My name is Tim Kirkes.  I am honored to be the a child of my heavenly Father, the husband of Lisa, the father of two boys and the pastor of San Dimas Wesleyan church.

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