Christ Forward - One Step at a Time

"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."~I Corinthians 2:1-5


Whenever I have to stand in front of people to speak, the anxiety sets in. My heart palpitations seem erratic, and I have a strange sense of fear that only I know when I'm in this type of situation. I always find myself frantically praying to God to grant me peace within and strength to do what is needed. I honestly have a part of me that glances at the door and wonders if there is time for an escape, but it is then, at that moment, that God's grace brings me back to reality. My weakness and great fear are answered by the Holy Spirit calming my spirit. As I proceed forward and begin to speak whether it be in front of a podium, talking to a small group, or assisting in Communion, a sense of peace takes over. God has equipped me with all I need to carry out the task in front of me. It's as if the Holy Spirit has carried me when I couldn't carry myself. 


Often, I think there are many of us that don't feel equipped or worthy of what we are asked to do. We can find ourselves in situations where we might feel that our actions, feelings, or thoughts aren't wise enough to share or help resolve a problem. When Paul wrote this letter to the Christians in Corinth, I see the struggles he had in balancing his own human wisdom with God's wisdom. He wanted to be careful that the messages he sent were related through God's Power and Spirit and not through his own human understanding. He had to count on God's wisdom as he stood in front of crowds and writing letters to choose the right words and relay God's Message and not his own. 


Finding that wisdom in our lives, is a lifelong process. Sometimes the steps are small, but it's a "Christ Forward" way of life. The steps always move forward in the direction of Christ, as long as we continue to pray, learn, serve, and grow in and through the Word of God. Occasionally, we may find ourselves taking a step or two backwards. The world's wisdom can get in the way. It's so important that we learn to let God help mold our way of thinking rather than society. Sometimes the greatest wisdom learned is when things don't go the way we plan. It is then, in our weakness, that God's strength and wisdom can fill us with peace when everything around us may be falling apart. Starting the day with a prayer asking God to grant us wisdom can become a way to direct our daily lives. He knows we're trying and is with us every step of the way. 


Each time we're asked to do something that we fear or may cause us to tremble, remember that we have been equipped with all we need to move "Christ Forward." God's wisdom is so much greater than we can imagine. Within that wisdom is the gift of Grace. Grace that blankets us and reassures us that regardless of what happens in this "Christ Forward" movement way of life that we will be loved and cared for whether we succeed or need to learn more for the next time. As our wisdom grows, it's important to give credit where credit is due. It is through God's wisdom that we become more truly wise. We do indeed serve an awesome God!


Let us pray,
Loving and Wise Father,
Each day we are confronted with decisions in our lives about how to love, care for, and serve others. Grant us Your wisdom and peace as we move one step at a time "Christ Forward," to  grow closer to you.
Amen.