“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
SCREENSHOT OF CHRISTIANITY
The picture on the left is a screenshot of a post I first saw on Facebook.
I think it says it all about some people’s understanding of Christianity (and maybe even the portrayal of Christianity from prosperity preacher’s pulpits?).
OUR PLAN
And so there we are (above), a nice and happy stick figure on our bicycle (top half of the screenshot).
No leaks in our tires.
Chain on.
Full of energy.
Ready to go.
The path ahead is a gradual upgrade.
Nothing too strenuous.
No bumps in the road.
We barely get out of breath as we go.
We can practically see the checkered flag (finish line) in the distance from wherever we are.
Praise God!
No problems in between.
Nothing to hinder our arrival.
Uh uh.
No way.
Why should there be?
This type of Christianity fills stadiums.
This type of Christianity sells a ton of books.
This type of Christianity makes a lot of money.
GOD’S PLAN
But this isn’t Christianity – not real Christianity.
Instead there we are (above), probably still a nice and happy stick figure on our bicycle – a bit smaller versus the “big shot” on the other bike (bottom half of the screenshot).
Then we go over a cliff not too far from the beginning (crash, ouch).
And we find ourselves down in the rocks with a flat tire (or two)?
And then now we’re on foot without a bike (what? / where’s God? / this can’t be His plan!).
And we’re climbing up a hill only to find just over the ridge – some monkey bars to swing on (remember those in school)?
And we can barely muster up enough upper body strength to make it across (maybe not?).
And now there’s water we must cross and on a rope no less (are you kidding me?).
And maybe we fall into the water a time or two before we decide to take the boat instead (it’s been sitting there for us the whole time as provided by the Lord?).
And then now the path goes on a bit with a slight downturn and before we find ourselves over a cliff again, but this time the clouds thicken above, it starts pouring rain and now the upgrade is as steep as we’ve ever seen it – and we’re wet and cold and breathing hard – and, quite frankly, maybe even contemplating turning back?.
This is real Christianity.
This IS.
CALL TO ACTION
And could it be that it’s been your plan for your life and not really God’s plan at all?
The flip side:
And what if your plan has had all these barriers to push through and aches and pains along the way and you’re cold and wet and breathing hard and you’re thinking, “This can’t be God’s plan,” but it really IS God’s plan after all?
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About Pastor Mike
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