Spiritual treadmills

What's a treadmill for? Thousands of people use them every day in gyms and homes across the country, so there must be some perceived benefit. Obviously, they are good for training, conditioning, muscle memory, and discipline, usually in the context of a physical fitness or injury rehab regimen. Here's what they aren't good for: going somewhere. To actually go somewhere, I need a different device, preferably a vehicle, even if it's just my feet, that moves me in the direction I want to go.

Ever feel like you're on a spiritual treadmill? I'm busy. I'm doing stuff. I go to church pretty regularly. I made it to Leviticus before I pooped out on my Bible reading program. But I still feel like God is a million miles away. My prayers don't make it past the ceiling....
I grew up in a religious tradition that was very performance based. I don't resent that - I would not know Christ at all if not for brothers and sisters in that denomination who invested in my early spiritual training. But it left me with a skewed view of what it means to be a Christ follower. Undervaluing grace and overvaluing works left me on a treadmill - always tired, but never reaching a destination. Have I done enough? What if God doesn't like me? And isn't there supposed to be some JOY in this journey? You mean, I'm going through all this and I might not even make it to Heaven? Exhausting. Not only no Sabbath; no concept of what Sabbath even meant!
 

With that, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, let loose: “Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I’ll be completely frank with you—we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the One you killed on a cross, the One God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole. Jesus is ‘the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone.’ Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one.”  - Act 4:8-12 (MSG)

In March, we will unpack the story of Carl Kimbro. It will be the story of a zealous and faithful Christian man who was doing what he thought he was supposed to do, yet did not fully appreciate who Jesus was until he hit a crisis point that left him with no option except to trust in God. It's powerful. I hope you can make time to hear it firsthand at the lodge on Friday March 2, at 6:15 AM.

Until then, another song? I keep finding these and they are ringing true for me. Maybe for you too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXxLwxfo0U

Heads up, eyes open men! The Spirit of Christ is doing something here.