Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Keeping Pace with God

Everyone loves a good story.  Churches especially love a story about a dramatic religious experience I think.  These types of things often sell books, draw crowds, and make for some compelling testimony.  In certain denominations in fact, people have trouble believing you are born again, unless you can recount something dramatic and noteworthy.  


But what about people who have a far less adventurous story to tell about their faith?  What about those of us who haven't had to face the threat of martyrdom, or the dramatic impact of an immediate conversion?

I would like to discuss two kinds of experiences that I think people have when it comes to an interaction with God.  Many have heard the saying that John or Jane Doe had a 'Road to Damascus' conversion when it came to the faith.  But what does this really mean?  If we look at Acts 9, we see the story of Saul's encounter with the real Jesus.

Acts 9:1-7 says, "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything."


We see here that Saul (who would later become the apostle Paul) had a miraculous, dramatic encounter with God's son.  Not only did it blind him for three days, but it forced him to re-think everything he thought he knew about being zealous for God's justice.  We know that later, Paul goes on to become one of the pillars of the church - delivering the Good News to the Gentile nation as an ambassador for the true Jesus.  

His story would have made a great sermon.  It would have drawn crowds ... it would have sold books.  Unfortunately, it also eventually landed him in prison.  Sometimes this is what happens.

Moving back a bit now to the Gospel of Luke, we read about two men who had an entirely different experience when it came to knowing the Lord.  Luke 24 recounts the story which has become familiar to us as the account of the 'Walk to Emmaus.'  

Luke 24:13-19 says, "Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”  They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  “What things?” he asked.  "About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people."


So here we have an example of two people with a long trip ahead of them - the seven mile journey gave them plenty of time to think and talk.  Some translations of the Scriptures say that they 'reasoned together.'  Even after Jesus appears to them on the road, it is by way of a soft, inquisitive pronouncement.  No flashes of lightening or deep, booming voices here.  An entirely different experience than Saul had while traveling to Damascus.

I believe many who have come to God, know Him in this manner.  Perhaps they have studied His ways quietly over decades.  Maybe they were raised in the church since they were children.  Whatever the method, it is clear that God's drastic treatment of Saul is not necessary for everyone.  The faith journey can also be contemplative and reflective as well. 

At this point some may feel a question looming.  "So which way is better" they might wonder.  A strange question really, in terms of its content.  It suggests that God's treatment of one person or group of people may be somehow worse than His treatment of another.  As if it were up to you and I to make a proper judgment here regarding the best way to get saved.

I think it is fairly clear, that either way is edifying.  Whichever type of testimony you have to tell (whether it would sell books or sell hearts) is worth telling.  And the fact of the matter is, if God performed a miracle in your life and delivered you from the surrounding world to set you apart for the faith; He probably wants you to repeat it to other people.

Chances are, you will not end up in prison like Paul, and that is okay.  Someone out there still needs to hear what you have to say.  They need to hear your dramatic conversion, or your walk to Emmaus.  

But the last thing I wish to discuss is more disturbing.  What if your experience with God was neither the flash of lightening or the pleasant walk?  What if you are showing up to church out of obligation only?  What if you can recount every piece of local church history, but you don't really know Jesus?

The Bible is clear that in order to enter the narrow gate and become heaven-bound, we must be born again of water and the spirit.  We must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  We must truly know Him ... not just know about Him.  No two conversion experiences are exactly alike, but there must be an experience. 

I am often reminded of John 14:6.  It says, "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

So simple, isn't it?  There is no other method of atonement offered to humankind except through the Son of God.  You will not find your salvation in Buddha, Mohammad, Oprah, Dr. Oz, or even the Pope.  It is Jesus only who saves.

I love talking to people about their experiences.  I often hear a version of either the Road to Damascus, or the Walk to Emmaus.  But always, God seems to tailor that experience to be exactly what the person needed at the time they needed it.  God is sovereign, that is what He does.

We need not worry so much about keeping pace with our creator; He will find us when it's time.  But I do think we need to listen for Him, and open ourselves up to what He has to say to us.  And this can be a daily regimen.  It means praying, looking, and hearing what the Spirit has to say to our hearts.  

And when Jesus does speak to you ... please listen.  If you hear that knock on the door, let Him in.  We have the choice not to of course, that is our prerogative.  But what a testimony we end up with when we decide to walk together with the Father of Lights.



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