PASSING MILESTONES When my children were young and we went on long trips, keeping them entertained often took some thought and ingenuity. This became a little easier as they got mature enough to read, do simple math, and be the “family navigators” or the “family budget keepers.” One of the tasks of the navigator was to measure the distance between points and estimate the time required to get there. One of the tools they were taught to use was the milestones or mile markers along the roadway. By watching the milestones a person can determine your position on the road, and along with a watch, estimate your rate of progress. This way you can see that you really are getting closer to your destination. And it helps to answer that age old question, “Are we there yet?” In the same way I believe that we all have milestones in our Christian walk. Our journey begins when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Though the Holy Bible we receive knowledge and direction for our journey. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we receive Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual leading as to direction and wisdom to guide around the obstacles of life in a fallen world. As we grow and mature in our daily walk with Jesus we learn new lessons and gain new insights to the Kingdom of God. Along the way we must pass certain “milestones” before we can continue our journey to Christian maturity. One of the first “milestones” is to recognize that “it’s all about me,” is a worldly lie that Satan uses to ensnare and entrap people. This life that God has given us is about Him, and through His Son Jesus Christ we can live a life pleasing to Him. Part of that includes spreading the “Good News” that Jesus Christ died for us. (Matthew 28:18-20) Another milestone is learning to use the Spiritual Gifts that are given to all believers to build up the Body of Christ. Part of building up the Body of Christ includes meeting together to worship collectively, and to learn from being taught Biblical and Spiritual truths by those the Holy Spirit has appointed as teachers and preachers. Another “milestone” is learning to examine the fruits of our lives, to change the worldly things that destroy and to add to and strengthen the Spiritual things that we do. Once we have examined ourselves we may also encourage others in a loving manner to increase their Spiritual fruits as they overcome the old behaviors of this world that destroy. We must also be careful as we progress on our journey to not let pride send us on an unwanted detour. Pride has been described by some Christian scholars as the anti-God. When we become so prideful that we think, “we have arrived” there will be those “fruit inspectors” around to let us know that maybe we have arrived, but it was the wrong destination. Only by humbling ourselves can we learn by our wrong turns and get back on the narrow road of the Christian walk. Paul acknowledged this when he wrote, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” (Philippians 3:12-14) In this I encourage all Christians to continue the journey of your Christian walk. Read the Bible daily to gain knowledge and insight. We should also pray through the intercession of the Holy Spirit to gain wisdom and leading around the traps and obstacles put in our way by Satan. Check the “milestones” of your journey so that you can see your progress and be encouraged. And always walk closely with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ along the way so that you may be encouraged and help to pick up those who stumble along the way. And when you or others wonder if you are ever going to get there, you can assure one another that someday you will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and then we will be there. Dr. Dale Cummins
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:19:11 +0000