R.C. Sproul once said, “What is the goal of the Christian life? It is godliness born of obedience to Christ. Obedience unlocks the riches of the Christian experience. Prayer prompts and nurtures obedience, putting the heart into the proper “frame of mind” to desire obedience.”
The experiences of our lives can be mapped out much like that of life; seasonally. Moments that hold decisions, which may be for the betterment of ourselves, provided their joyful noise or harrowed pain. Events combined to create the stories that run through us in a flow that make up what we’ve done, and for some people, who we are. I would believe this to be true without Jesus. I would believe that the only thing in life to offer are the experiences shared with those whom I find companionship and love. But Jesus seems to abandon that idea and radically count all experiences, memories, and events as void and benign in the grand plan of the Gospel. His resurrection.
The world race, in similar way, through its many seasons and experiences, provide a platform for spiritual formation. All flowing from the love of Jesus over my life. So in this time, as Sproul would ask, “What is the Goal?” What am I shooting for during this honeymoon with the Lord? In this time of great adventure and spiritual growth where unknowns become my close friend and strangers happen to be my family. All I know is that for this first month of the race, I have definitely seen the obedience of my life tested. I have seen the the “unlocking” of the Christian experience in a radical way. Walking up to those on the street now is more normal than facing my fears.
The race currently has been instilling inside of me a obedience that demands great faith. Faith that only knows of God’s truth, love, and purpose for those around me, and myself. A obedience that reconciles me to love those who seem difficult in the flesh, and call upon the insecurities that hinder it. It’s molding me to throw off the slowness of speech and step when ministering to others and their pronounced needs. When I arrived to Guatemala, I didn’t believe that I would have imagined myself as being an “evangelist.” However, that’s the work that I am called to as of right now.
The godliness that comes along with that has been developed over my time here in its duty and down time. I have seen sacrifice of pride by leaning into my faith and approaching those who I have wronged. Also, it has not always tasted good in the moment, but spiritual formation is just that, formation. It is, in itself, moving to an intended goal that we can visibly see affecting those around us. I know that is where I am headed on the race. I can see the Father beginning his work in my heart to ready my feet and prepare my mind for action. The confidence and authority of Jesus and his word left his audience awestruck. Brazen boldness marks the soul of intimacy. Jesus walked perfectly in this which, is where the Lord is bringing me to. So, I agree with Sproul and believe obedience void of intimacy brings a cold and potentially ineffective message.
As prayer “prompts and nurtures” obedience, the desire simultaneously bounds through the door. The very purpose for chasing the light for others begins with seeing it yourself. TALKING to the lord prompts my soul to yearn for his purpose in Matthew 28. ASKING the lord questions nurtures my trust in him and my confidence that, yes, He has good prepared for those who love Him, regardless of circumstances. If obedience unlocks the Christian experience, then prayer gives you the key. To have a mind set for action only makes sense to one that is in one accord with the Lord. For John 14:13-14 says that “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” The Lord has promised us much when in His will. He has promised us much when our lives are so lined up with Him, our will and yearning for life is to glorify Him. It is in the ROOT where the water flows to produce the fruit.
How beautiful is it that the lord asks for our communication and time so to temper our attitudes or reign our tongues? He calls our hearts to be romanticized SO THAT, we can have the FULL Christian experience in bringing those to our Love, whom we so desire. I believe that godliness is not something come by happenstance or the serendipitous, but through the wrestling with God through prayer and obedience. We must begin with our Love so that we can love. That is my goal for this race. That is my goal for life.
