I’ve been to plenty of church camps, revivals, and retreats. I’ve been to a Passion Conference and an Invisible Children rally. I’ve traveled across the state of Georgia to hear inspirational speakers and worship bands perform. I’ve been on ‘life changing’ mission’s trips. Participated in numerous bible studies at more homes and coffee shops then I can count. What I’m driving at is this: I’ve had some incredible experiences in my life to help propel and encourage my faith. Opportunities to have community in some very awesome ways with many different kinds of people. Insane encounters with the Holy Spirit that upended me like a chop block from a locomotive.
But in retrospect of all these events and adventures, I always have to ask myself one question:
"Did I take it home with me?"
It? What is ‘it’?
‘It’ is everything. It’s the lesson learned. The mountain-top reached. The obstacle overcome. The moment of vulnerability where God shows up and wrecks you like only He can. It’s that fire you get after receiving a very hard-hitting sermon. It’s all those promises and ‘Never agains’ you declare in your prayers at the altar/stage/seat 19-row 5-section D. It’s sharing your gut-wrenching, shameful, embarrassing testimony with near-strangers, and that warmth you feel as they shower you with acceptance. It’s looking at that poor child you fell in love with in this or that country that brought about such a fervent passion in you to do something to change the world. It’s in the forgiveness you gave and the grace that you showed. It’s the rush that you experience when you step out of your comfort zone and the reward or revelation waiting for you at the other side opens your eyes to the Father’s heart even more. It’s when God looks you dead in the eyes and asks “Now may I work in you?” and you reply with an enthusiastic “I’m ready! Send me!”. It’s crazy! It’s wild! It’ll change your life if you let it!
But you have to take it home with you.
All of the above mentioned instances I have experienced. I have been on spiritual highs so intense that people have actually asked if I was high. But I admit, I have not always taken ‘it’ home with me. Sure, those first few days of blaring the new Hillsong cd you just bought, reading over all the journaling you did, and being way more productive then usual are great. And it's definitely infectuous to those you're around for that period of time too. But what happens after that first week, or first month go by? When the big lights and expensive sound equipment aren’t your everyday norm? When the community you built up over the course of said events isn’t constantly around? When your back at the ground and pound of your busy, mundane work week? Is the fire still there? Are you still hungry for more?
Or do you, like me, occasionally taper off into spiritual lethargy?
After training camp a few weeks ago (which I will speak of in a separate blog soon!) I made sure that I would avoid that snare this time around. It couldn’t happen now. Ive got the World Race to prepare for! Well, the reason I am writing this blog about this topic now is because I caught myself slipping into that trap yet again. It happens, but no more. We cant let it. Raise awareness. We shouldn’t have to relearn what has been spoken into our lives once already, or rededicate ourselves countless times over, or ‘re-grieve’ over sins we’ve already been forgiven for. All of the conferences and training camps and Louie Giglio sermons in the world aren’t going to supplement (keyword again is ‘supplement’) the trail you wish to blaze with Christ like you want them to if you don’t what? Yep! You guessed it:
TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU!
And when you get it home, dont leave it on the shelf or set it on the counter. Kick spiritual lethargy in the mouth, and apply those empowering truths or knowledge you obtained to your everyday life, and NOT just for the following week. GET AFTER 'IT'!
