Remember when you were little and your teacher and even your mom and dad asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? Some kids said a firefighter. Others said a doctor or a nurse and still others said a pro football or basketball player or even a singer or an actor. There’s so many different roads to take.
Whatever it may have been that you or your friends chose at the time, you find that sometimes as we age, it changes. Sometimes circumstances cause the change and sometimes you just simply change your mind and decide on a totally different path.
Whatever the case may be one thing’s for sure, you have to practice it to do it. In order to get good at your career choice or even your hobby, you have to spend time doing it. If you don’t you won’t be your best or do your best.
The same holds true when you become a Christian. Once you truly have a made up mind that this is what you want, you’ll have to spend time learning about the goodness of God and Christianity. You’ll want to spend time living the life.
Just like the little child that has a passion for becoming a firefighter, you have to have a passion for Christ and being a Christian. And usually when you first accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour it starts out as a passion. It’s like a fire burning in your soul and you want to do whatever you can to please the Lord.
You go to church regularly and bible study and you search for areas in the church where you can be of help. Maybe with the homeless ministry or the elderly or even the youth, and you enjoy doing it. It gives you a sense of pride to help others and you know that’s something the Lord wants us to do.
But what happens when that fire start to go out? When you don’t feel as enthusiastic anymore? When it begins to feel like a chore instead of something you enjoy doing? Then a light goes off in your head and you realize…it’s not hard to accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour, the hard part is what follows after you do.
That, we think, happens to everyone. Because you are human you will get to this point, it’s just a matter of time when. And if you don’t get to this point, consider yourself one of the lucky ones.
But for those that do, try this:
- Encourage yourself in the Lord. He will never leave or forsake you.
- Find some encouraging scriptures and meditate on them until they are deep in your heart and psyche.
- Put your trust in Him
- Find a Bible Buddy (a name we gave them)
If you have to ask someone to help you with this, ask them, most people need help. Let them know what’s happening and see if they wouldn’t mind being the voice of encouragement. Something like an exercise buddy, only we call them a Bible Buddy. You can rest assured they’ve probably already gone through the same thing or know someone who has. They can and will help you get your fire back.
You have to make a conscience decision that this is what you really want, just like you made the decision to become a believer. Just do it. But you have to be committed. Being committed means loyal and willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in.
As you study the word and learn about the Lord and what he wants, you get better in time at what you’re doing and how you’re behaving. You develop what we call a slow burn. This is a fire that burns but is not consuming, kind of like the burning bush.
Make the decision and just do it. You give thanks to him daily who bless you, protects you, forgives you and gave you life. You love him because he first loved you and supplies you with grace and mercy everyday.
Your faith in him will grow as your internal, permanent flame continues to burn. You know now that it may get low at times but it will never go out; especially if you’re committed and attend worship service regularly.
The Rev. Dr. Mack King Carter, who’s gone on to be with the Lord, use to say worship service was a pep rally for saints, where we get fired up for the Lord. At that pep rally you and other believers share an awesome connection, a connection that links you to the Holy God. It brings you closer in love and admiration.
You will find that you enjoy being around like minded people and the Lord states in Matthew 18 vs 20 where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them.
As you encourage yourself and with the help of your bible buddy, you’ll notice a change in yourself. Most of your not so pleasing habits will change and know that some of your old friends will leave you. But some won’t and they may even become believers as well seeing the example you’re setting. So press on and make the decision to just do it.
You learn that some struggles will be lifelong, requiring you to depend on the Lord. We think that’s his way of helping us to stay focused. Just recognize that you won’t get the answer to everything, all your problems won’t be solved and know that that’s just the way it is.
Ultimately God’s plan for you is that you have a life of abundance, peace and joy and he’ll give you the strength to cope with life’s challenges.
So when you feel like your fire is getting low and you’re not as enthusiastic as you once was; make the decision to not let that fire go out. It’s up to you…
Just Do It!
I Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
