Ever consider the fact that we don’t exit the womb walking? I know that sounds pretty elementary, but when you pause to think about this, it’s a blessing in disguise for everyone who may come in contact with us.
Newborns know absolutely nothing about the world they’ve just entered. For goodness sakes, they can’t even hold their own heads up to give you the side-eye. They fumble trying to shove their fists into their mouths in between feedings and to soothe themselves. They holler at us to get our attention for the lack of being able to speak their requests, which might sound a bit jumbled with a mouth full of empty gums.
So, imagine this wobbly creature getting up in the morning (and whenever else they choose), climbing out of their cradle and taking a stroll around your bedroom — without so much as a crawl or struggle to stay up. Crazy thought isn’t it?
There’s a distinctive progress and journey that we undergo and it’s all relevant to our physiological development. Much to our ambitious hearts, we all have to wait until it’s time for the muscles in our bodies to catch up to our enthusiastic endeavors.
Much like our crawling and cruising ultimately leads to our confident walking, our walking out in faith begins with our humble crawl to the Cross.
When we first surrendered our lives to Christ, we couldn’t wait to do all sorts of new things — because we began to learn about all the privileges we had simply because GOD loves us and the newness of life that breathed new beginnings into our lungs. We were given a new life — a fresh start — and the old things were no longer chains to hold us back.
9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 1 John 1:9 Amplified
17 Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. 2 Corinthians 5:17 GWT
All the awesome things available to us was like a kid in an amusement park — we couldn’t wait to be turned loose. Born to save the world and proclaim His love for everyone, we are on fire!
But we can barely read our Bibles — let alone understand the words in them. Our enthusiasm and drive need to intersect with our understanding of the Scriptures. We have to learn to walk the talk and what that all means.
For some of us, getting settled into a local church is the first step we need to take.
16 Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God’s approval. 2 Timothy 3:16 GWT
12 God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions. Hebrews 4:12 GWT
Our uncompromised Scriptural teachings will root us into the Word and give us the firm foundation that we need to keep growing. It is our spiritual food and it provides the strength to our faith muscles so that we can begin to walk well.
Fellowship with other Believers in community is step two — one-to-one and in small groups keeps us accountable and provides a safe place to ask questions and have others pray with and over us when times are difficult.
18 So then, comfort each other with these words! 1 Thessalonians 4:18 GWT
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17 ESV
Walking in this newness will feel wobbly at best. Not always recognizing that there are still many things to grasp onto for stability, we will stumble and fall — but we rise and do it again and again and again. We continue forward. No one walks backwards that wants to move from where they were.
As we become more confident in understanding the love of GOD sustains us, our walk of faith becomes more secure. And with each step we realize that we are not walking in our own strength but depending completely on the One Who holds our hand as we move. We move with GOD as a child moves with her parent. Our Heavenly Father walks this journey called life with us.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 ESV
If we are wise, we continue on this road with Him. Listening to His every word of wisdom, hearing His warnings of the dangers of veering off on our own. When we think that our freedom is a liberty that turns us loose to explore independently of GOD, we are risking the possibility of encountering situations and circumstances that we are not able to handle with our own human strength (or lack thereof).
Yet, even when we do become arrogant and disobedient, He is faithful to love us back to our rightful and peaceful place of calm.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 Amplified
“How is your walk with the Lord today, Sweet Friend?”
If you’re in need of an honest conversation with Him, what’s holding you back? We have been granted access to the Throne of Grace through Jesus Christ. We have the confidence to know that our prayers are heard even before we begin articulating them out of mouths.
15 And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:15 Amplified
If you’ve accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, but haven’t grown much since that spiritual rebirth, it’s time to start cruising over to step one all over again. Showing up to attend ‘church’ does not translate to walking in faith or walking with the Lord. You may be stuck in your crawling mode and need guidance — a mentor — to lead you to the cruising phase of your walk.
A Believer that claims to have surrendered their life to Christ many years ago, should truly be walking firmly and uprightly with the confidence that GOD is ever present and still in control of everything. However, if you find yourself in a quandry of confusion and persistent wrestling with basic foundational truths of the Christian faith, I urge you to pause and examine this.
Take it to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to lead you to GOD-fearing people in your local church who can help you right where you are. They will take you under their wing and love you through the learning stages so that you can walk with less stumbling (not perfection, but progress) and know what to do when you find yourself falling or how to pick yourself up after a tumble.
Keep going, Sister … it does get better. We have to remind ourselves and each other that the path that we’re on will lead us to Glory. The circumstances are temporary and pale in the light of Who is in control over them.
Rise up … put one foot in front of the other … repeat.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
Titus Two 