What "Gear" are you in?

When you look at the shifter in most modern automoblies, they have several gears to choose from Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Second and Low. Life is much the same way. You can remin in "Park", staying in the same place, immobile, going nowhere, looking at the same scenery and basically stagnant. How does that profit a person? Doing nothing gets you nothing in return. James 4:17 tells us, ,"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin". So, where does that leave the person who sits idylly and does nothing, who waits for the world to provide for his/her needs? Remaining in "Park" exhibits laziness and an unwillingness to follow God's Commandments. Then there is "Reverse". We often spend our lives looking backward at happier times, wishing we had done things differently, moaning about the could'ves, would'ves and should'ves. But, let's face it--life has no reverse gear. We can't go back no matter now much we might like to. We can, however, take the lessons we learned and apply them to the life ahead of us, try not to make the same mistakes again and continue moving forward. If we dwell on the past, we simply rob ourselves of our now. God wants to use us in the present... Luke 9:62 says, Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Those are the words of Jesus Himself, words written in red. I don't want to be counted as "unfit" for God's Work. How about "Neutral'? Well, the truth is that neutral can be either positive or negative. If we choose to remain in neutral, we may as well park because we're not really accomplishing anything and have become lukewarm. Lukewarm isn't good--not hot and making accomplishments in the Kingdom, not cold & detracting from the Kingdom--just kind of coasting through life with no real destination in mind. We know how God feels about lukewarm Christians... "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" Revelation 3:15-16 That is certainly not how I want God to view me. However, "Neutral" can also be a time of hesitation to refresh ourselves--in this way, it is a positive thing. Sometimes, we need a brief respite from life, a time to refuel, to refocus and recenter ourselves in the Lord and prepare ourselvesfor His Work. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen" It's ok to take a breather, to relax a bit, to take a vacation to refresh oneself--but then we have have to begin moving forward... Let's jump down to Low" gear for a bit--Slow progression is better than no progression. Sometimes, we need to proceed cautiously and slowly into our next phase, a new project, etc. We don't want to rush things and make a mess of what God is doing. I know that I have tried to hurry things and "help" God (as if He needed my "help" to accomplish what He was doing) and made a royal mess of things in the process. There is value in caution, but we cannot be fearful. We are to move boldly, even if slowly, into God's Work. Obedience is the key. I do recall that he tells us to be "slow to speak, slow to anger;"but also "quick to hear" (James 1:19) There's also 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." We operate under His Power and, as Christians, should exhibit His Love... Then there is "Second" gear. Once we understand the mission, it's time to ramp up the speed a bit, move into a higher pace and work towards finishing the assignment. Funny thing, there is no "Second" in the Kingdom. We are all equal in son/daughership. We all win! But, until we reach Heaven's sweet shore, there is work to be done here on earth--mainly the work of pointing lost souls to Him. We are told to "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2. Ease into it, take your time to build confidence and comfort--but the assignment is not optional--it is a commandment from God. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Whether or not we choose to obey is up to us... Finally we arrive at "Drive". Once we understand the mission and have properly equipped ourselves, it is time to shift into drive and cruise on down the highway doing our all to show the Love of God to others we encounter along the way. It has been said that we are often to only "Bible" others may read. Our lives should reflect the character of Christ and exude love and compassion. 1 Peter 1:13 says "... preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." How do we continue in His Work? By being in constant communion with The Father, prayer, Bible reading, praise and worship. We have to continually refill ourselves in order for the Spirit to overflow from us and splash on others so they too can receive the vision, come to know God and be part of His mission on earth. Understandably, we all have to start somewhere and there is always room to improve--but, What gear are we operating in? Just some of my thoughts and ponderings... Be blessed, Ya'll! Tony