“Trophy…” (by Mel McGuire)

I played team sports as a child. At the end of every season, the top three teams would have a ceremony where they would be recognized for their achievements and each player would receive a trophy.

The team that won the most, or earned first place, got the biggest trophy. Made sense to me. Now as an adult, I see kids receiving trophies merely for participating. Some sports do not keep score, do not establish a winner (or loser), and everyone receives the same reward regardless of how well they perform.

I think sometimes believers think God is giving out participation trophies. We often act like there is no benefit to “winning”, just showing up and “trying” ought to be enough to win the prize.

In sports there is a price to pay in order to win the ultimate prize. It involves sacrifice, pain, overcoming adversity, and actually performing at a high level at the right time. While there may be some good fortune involved for sure, no team wins the highest prize without doing the work.

The participation trophy is probably okay for beginners, for novices, or for children. Adults, professionals, and maturing believers should not expect such from God. If we are honest, we would all prefer not to have to do all that it takes to win, as long as we receive the winner’s prize. But neither God, nor real life, hands out such a trophy.

We want the ring without the seventh game victory, the cup without the season-long struggle, the title without the fight, the applause without the adversity. We want the result without the work.

As believers, we want His power but not His persecution, His life without our death, His insight without His intimacy, and His Crown without His character. We cannot have His will without His way, nor His voice without His word.

We would all love to do what he did without having to become what he was. Think about that. We want the title of overcomer without actually overcoming anything. We are called more than conquerors, yet often refuse to fight, much less win.

God’s grace and His mercy are always available to us, not so we can do just enough to “make it in”, but to demonstrate to the world that He is alive and still reigns over this world! God is a champion! He wants to be in first place in your life.

When God is your champion, He gets your best. You give Him the biggest trophy of all…your life! Your heart, mind, soul, strength…it all goes to give Him the glory! When we do that, we recognize Him as Lord of all, King of kings, Almighty God.

When we don’t we are basically offering Him a participation trophy, the same reward as everyone else in our life. REALLY??

He has given us everything we need to win, to overcome, to conquer. Win the fight, win the race…win the trophy, the top prize: Not just life, but eternal life!

“Redline…” (by Mel McGuire)

I heard a great sermon about shifting from one gear to the next…it was about growth and maturity…not really about cars, but the analogy was very well done. It got me thinking about manual transmissions and the limit known as the “redline”.

In a car, the redline represents the maximum speed the engine is designed to safely operate. Key word being safely. On the tachometer, revolutions per minute or “rpm” are indicated, telling you how hard or fast your engine is working.

“Redlining” is when you not only reach and maintain the redline, but remain at or above it. Most engines are designed to reach peak performance at or just below the redline. Anything above that is actually NOT beneficial, and wise drivers shift to a higher gear.

The thing about “redlining” is that your engine will not automatically stop working the instant you exceed the redline. But it does increase the chance of doing damage to the motor. Continuous and repeated acts of exceeding the redline are never recommended.

Different engines have different redlines and if you are not careful, you can blow your engine trying to match another engine’s limit. Newer cars have “rev limiters” that will shut the engine down if you exceed to far or too long. This is for engine preservation, not an attempt to regulate ones driving…even though that might be needed as well.

Christians need to be mindful of their own redlines. Too often we are simply doing too much for too long. We are straining our engine…making a lot of noise, but in reality, we have stopped progressing and are doing more harm than good. We need to slow down, or shift gears.

We believe that because we are “serving God” that it is not possible to overdo it. Until God’s rev limiter kicks in. That could be in the form of sickness, fatigue, the flu, bronchitis, (ain’t nobody got time for that) or even a nervous or mental breakdown.

Redlining in the spirit is not good for you long term. It leads to burnout, and you begin to sputter like a car with a blown engine, spewing smoke, making strange noises, and losing power. This happens to some of us because we are trying to match someone else’s output.

Even when doing the work of the Lord, serving in His kingdom, being a blessing to His people, if power you for years to come. Know your limit and don’t exceed it!

Prayer, quiet time alone with God, reading, studying, and meditating on His word, spending encouraging, uplifting time with other believers are essential to keeping your motor running efficiently.

These things can give you “another gear”, an overdrive as it were, to keep you moving when you have reached your limit. Worship is always a great “tune-up” as well.

Take some time to rest. NASCAR mechanics rebuild engines after every race! They take them apart and replace or repair anything that appears worn. Stop glorying in your redlining and learn from the experts.

There is a rest for you, in His presence. Shift or shut down…you choose. Do it before “redlining” causes you to break down.

This walk is a marathon, not a sprint. An endurance race, not a drag race. It is the “24 Hours of LeMans” more than the “Indianapolis 500”. Know your redline so you know when to shift to a higher gear, or when you have done all you can do in a season or situation and shut down.

“Deep…” (by Mel McGuire)

I was having a discussion recently about the frustration that comes when others do not (or cannot) share your passion, commitment, dedication, or depth about something. Not that we are all so deep that no one can hang with us, but some people are simply not going to match or exceed your level of involvement or capacity to care. You’re too deep.

This particular conversation centered around spiritual things and ministry related things, but I believe the principle the Lord shared with me applies to a variety of situations. Everybody will not go deep, or at least as deep, as you in certain circumstances.

The difference between snorkeling and SCUBA diving is illustrated in the two images. The SCUBA diver is deep and while a snorkeler can go deep…they cannot remain there any longer than they can effectively hold their breath.

At some point, they will have to return to the surface. Snorkelers usually swim in shallow water, occasionally diving under water for a short period of time. They must be able to return to the surface in order to breathe. They can go deep, but they cannot stay deep.

SCUBA divers are equipped to go deep and stay deep. Of course, they take their air with them, but it allows them remain underwater for extended periods of time. They may see a snorkeler, may even hang with them for a minute to two…but then the snorkeler must return to the surface.

So it is in ministry or other endeavors where people do not have equal commitment or passion. Everyone is not equipped or even interested in SCUBA diving. It takes longer to certify, requires more training, carries more risk, and takes more effort. Most people are content to snorkel.

When it comes to actually swimming in the ocean, I am a snorkeler. “Jaws” convinced me long ago, I had no God ordained reason to be that far under water for that length of time. I own that. In other areas of my life, I am a SCUBA diver and I own that too. I have some friends who can go deep and stay deep with me, and I have some friends who “snorkel” in those areas.

The bible tells us that “deep calls unto deep” and there are “the deep things of God” that some will explore and experience…but not everyone. That is fine. Snorkelers who remain under too long could drown. We have all seen folks fall away because they “got in over their head”. They needed to return to the surface.

Whether is a concept that requires a certain amount of depth like fasting or sacrifice, or a level of commitment that goes beyond one’s ability to “hold their breath” …everyone is not going to be able to go deep.

Prayer, Worship, Giving, Serving, Teaching, Hospitality, Study of the Word…these are all examples where all of us should be willing to get in the water. But some will snorkel while others will SCUBA. Deep is calling…who will answer?

“Potholes…” (by Mel McGuire)

My city government made a big deal recently about fixing one million potholes in the city streets. They even got around to fixing the potholes in the street on which I live. Potholes. THEY NEEDED TO PAVE THE ENTIRE STREET!!

Every time I drive home, I am reminded that someone took a lot of credit for repairing the several potholes on my street. I am also jarred by the fact that the street itself is in disrepair. While the absence of the potholes is better, the street is still a rough ride.

Of course God popped me upside my head (spiritually speaking of course) as He reminded me of the times I celebrated fixing the potholes in my cobblestone lifestyle. I suspect we have all done it. Made a big deal about one severe area we fixed, while ignoring the condition that led to the severity in the first place!

Here is the thing, if you pave the street, you have to fix the potholes anyway. It is easier and less time consuming to just fix the potholes, and leave the street as it is. While we appreciate you not cussing us out every other day in your new found salvation, we still have to deal with your overall “janky” attitude and negativity. You fixed a pothole.

When we get spiritually lazy, in the name of expediency, we fix potholes. We stop doing certain things, extreme or obvious things, like fighting, stealing, or fornication. But we still live on a rough street, so we keep fuming, plotting revenge, envying others, or watching risqué media. We need to bulldoze the street and repave it. We fix potholes.

I actually laughed when our mayor went public with the success story of fixing all those potholes. My street will still loosen a filling every now and again, and driving slowly just makes you seasick. I think God feels some kind of way when we celebrate an “easy fix” when He knows that what is needed may temporarily shut some stuff down.

Who wants the inconvenience of a street closure? The noise of large machinery and the time it takes to do the job right? WE DO!! Or we should. The same material needed to fix a pothole is what is needed to fix the street. Just more of it on a larger scale.

It takes more time, more planning, and certainly more sacrifice, but in the end, on a long term basis, it is worth it. Our salvation is eternal. Let’s fix the street of our life and not just fill in the potholes.

When people interact with us, they should not be jarred or become nauseous due to our imperfections. How many people plan their day trying to avoid us or limit their exposure to us? Take the time God needs to become whole in Him.

Our attitude about getting better is vital to us getting healed. So too our mindset about allowing the word of God to literally transform our lives. ALL OF IT, not just the potholes.

Confessing a sin is fixing a pothole. Repentance that leads to lifestyle change is repaving the street. Stop fixing potholes. God wants to you to live at the same address but with a brand new street. Put the shovel down and fire up that bulldozer!

“Horsepower…” (by Mel McGuire)

I learned a new concept recently that reminded me of the difference between what something is “rated” and how much is actually “delivered”. While I was introduced to terminology related to golf, the imagery that stuck with me is one of horsepower.

Car manufacturers may boast about a vehicle having “500 horsepower!”, but for a variety of reasons, something less than that is actually “useable horsepower”. It is a measure of efficiency, which is the point of this article. How efficient are you?

Picture a muscle car doing a burnout or donut on pavement. There is so much power being delivered to the rear wheels that traction (friction) is overcome and the wheels just spin…creating a lot of noise and smoke…and wearing out the tires at an accelerated rate.

While there may be limited advantages to doing burnouts, if we are honest, most of it is about “show”, not “go”. Herein lies the spiritual lesson: Is the gospel we believe and preach the same as the gospel we live? When our lifestyle does not match our belief, we create wheelspin, which can lead to burnout and donuts. Lots of “show” with very little “go”. We get a lot of attention, but we are not making any progress.

How efficient, how effective is our gospel? Are we losing traction with the world we are to influence because we are inefficient? I say, “yes, we are. At least, I know I am.” Christianity is highly rated, but my life, my witness, my “useable horsepower” is something less.

Using the muscle car analogy, anything that reduces traction increases the probability of burnouts. Wet pavement, loose dirt or gravel, or poor tire tread make it easier to lose traction and waste power. Our gospel (lifestyle) must take into account those types of factors. A good driver can make progress even when traction is limited. Selah.

Sometimes the environment we are in will not support the full throttle approach of a fire and brimstone message. There can be a thin line between conviction and condemnation, and love helps ease up on the gas pedal of self-righteousness.

We need to be effective, we need to be efficient in order to reach a lost and dying world. We can no longer be content with making a lot of noise and smoke coupled with little to no progress. We are racing our engine, but are we going anywhere?

There is little point in having a highly rated gospel if we cannot communicate it to the world. Our life is our most effective method of communicating. When we strive to live the word we say we believe, we become much more efficient and the kingdom can gain traction in this world. What in our life is robbing the gospel of its full power?

We should not fear friction, but recognize friction is necessary in order to “get a grip”, gain and offer understanding of the trials of life, and the victory available through our relationship with Jesus Christ. The gospel is powerful, get that power on the ground so progress can be made. Don’t overpower friction and let the power of the gospel just go up in smoke!

“Available Balance…” (by Mel McGuire)

I was doing some online banking and noticed my checking account had a difference between my “current balance” and my “available balance”. You see the way my checking account is set up…no wait, that ain’t what I was trying to say…ignore that.

Point being, my current balance was significantly higher than my available balance. But just before I called the bank, I remembered I had deposited a check and apparently, there had been a “hold” placed on it.

I was able to access some of it immediately, but most of it, though counting towards my total or current balance, was not accessible, thus leading to my “available balance”.

It didn’t take me long to lament the fact that I had to wait before I could access (meaning spend) money that showed in my account. God interjected however, and reminded me that He too, will place a hold on things until the appointed time.

I remember when I first prayed about wanting to get married. God told me to wait. He gave me a time period that was more than a few business days. My desire was like my current balance. My readiness was my available balance. Marriage wasn’t happening until some things “cleared” the bank.

Often we want to do something, even something great and mighty for the Lord. We have a strong desire, a burden, even a gift and a calling to do it. But, we are not ready. And so we have to wait until our “can do” matches or exceeds our “want to”.

Too many lives have been negatively impacted because someone’s desire wrote a check their maturity, experience, and character could not cash. And in ministry especially, when those checks bounce…people get hurt.

Your available balance may place a limit on what you can do…until the rest of the currency becomes available. Growing in the Lord is not optional. If you stop growing, your available balance may not change…it certainly won’t increase.

While time is simply all that is needed for some money to become available in the banking industry, other things may require action or certain qualifications to be met first. Growing in the Lord is not a matter of the passage of time, rather the passing of tests.

In order for God to do all He wants to do in you and with you, there are some requirements that are non-negotiable. In order for us to get our available balance to match our current balance, we have to meet His standards.

It is easy to mistake grace and favor for being qualified. They are not the same. Grace and favor may provide opportunity. Character and competence allow you to remain, maintain, and obtain more as you are able.

Check your balances. When there is a gap between your total and your available, ask God what you need to do, who you need to become, in order to access the better promise He has laid up for you.

It is always good when the “hold” has been lifted, and all funds become available for use.

“Merge…” (By Mel McGuire)

We have been learning at church about transitions, specifically about change. Transition is a good thing, and change is good because it represents growth.

As we grow from “glory to glory” we should be changing into something closer to the image of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We should merge with his nature, character, and identity.

One of the images used to convey the necessity of transition is the idea of switching from one freeway to another. The transition road, that space of freeway in between the two freeways, is the time we are focused on.

What goes on during the transition, what is happening as we prepare to merge? Well, on a freeway, the first thing is that you must recognize that you have to get off of one freeway to get onto another.

There are signs indicating a change is coming up. You have to merge, usually to the right, slow down, and prepare to change directions.

Once you are on the transition road, you have the opportunity to slow down and prepare to rejoin the adjoining freeway which is headed in a new direction.

You must take heed of the speed and the level of congestion on the new freeway and plan to find a space where you can safely merge and then go with the “new flow”. Once on the transition, you really have no reason to think about the road you are leaving behind.

Transitions by design require you to pay attention to your speed and the signage tells you that your lane will end and you must merge with the traffic already on the path you are joining.

You are required to match your speed with theirs so that you are not a disrupting force as you merge. There are a few spiritual parallels here we should not ignore.

Are you recognizing the signs in your life that it is time to change freeways? Are you no longer making progress or realizing you are heading in the wrong direction? Have the methods that brought you success in the past coming up short? Are you left unsatisfied even when doing all you know to do? It is probably time to merge.

God has a new direction, some new traffic you must move among, and a new direction you must travel to get to the places He wants you to get to. From glory to glory.

During this season of transition, you need to slow down, look ahead and prepare to merge into the next thing He has for you.

Merging safely requires humility. You have to acknowledge that you are entering a new place and the old methods may need some adjusting.

You may have to pray more often, pray more purposefully, study the word instead of just reading it, worship a little longer, and be still a little longer. Pay attention to the people who have been on this path before you…and merge.

Forget about those people and situations who stayed on your prior freeway. Focus on the traffic and scenery of the new direction, knowing they bring you closer to your final destination.

Whether God moved you because of congestion or simply because it was time for a new direction.

If you take time to merge correctly, you will blend in and begin progressing towards your final destiny. Closer to God, more like Jesus, and going with His flow.

Your lane is running out, prepare to merge…

“Up front…” (by Mel McGuire)

When my daughter was heading towards her teenage years, she asked if she could move from the back seat of the car and start riding up front. She was legally qualified to make the move (and she had been for a couple of years), so we granted her request. But we did it because we felt she was ready, not simply because she met some general qualifications. It takes a certain maturity to ride…up front.

Once she got up there, she began to see driving from a different perspective, and consequently she asked a lot of questions and offered some unsolicited advice. When you ride up front, you see more of what actually goes into driving a vehicle, and you see more of what is going on around the vehicle. Getting from one place to the next is different when you are riding…up front.

From the back seat she had a limited perspective and world view. Most of what she saw was out the side window, as her view to the front was shielded by seats and parents. Once she began to ride up front, the backseat became a distant memory, or sometimes a place to store her baggage. She became much more aware of the numerous hazards of driving when she began to ride…up front.

When she sat in the back, communication could be a challenge, but once she came up front, she could talk to us face to face. This made for better and more intimate conversations. I must admit, that part I enjoyed about her riding…up front.

Oh how I long in my journey in Christ to ride up front. To see and know everything He is doing, to anticipate the hazards, to inquire why He chose to take me one way as opposed to another, to be close to Him, communicating with Him face to face. I just want to observe how He maneuvers through traffic, understand why He picks the lane I am in, and how He observes the rules of the road as He gets me safely to my destination.

But even in Christ, it takes a certain maturity to ride up front. We can’t bring our backseat perspective and expect it to serve us when we ride up front. No one likes a “backseat driver”, especially if they are sitting up front! We have to realize why it is so important to our safety to let the driver drive. He has the wheel, and is in control of the gear we are in, the accelerator, and the brakes. We really need to be able to sit back, stay out of his line of vision, and let him drive!

God has a plan for our lives. He knows how to get us to our destiny safely, while allowing us the privilege of watching Him as we enjoy the journey. Eventually we will get to ride up front, not because of some arbitrary qualification, but because He believes we are ready…to sit closer, to talk face to face, and to learn exactly how and why He does what He does. God wants us to know how to anticipate danger, how to maneuver through the traffic jams of life, and how to benefit the most from riding with Him…up front.

“Stake…” (by Mel McGuire)

I continue to meditate and marinate on the subject of discipleship. I was introduced to the concept of stakes…you know those supports used on young trees or plants?  My research unveiled some deep spiritual truths and my personal experience confirmed what I got from my “book learnin’”.

The purpose of the stake is to provide support for young trees or plants until they are strong enough to stand or grow on their own. In a garden, some plants bloom rather quickly, and the weight of their flowers can overwhelm their stem, causing them to bend or even break.

Gardeners use sticks or dead branches to “stake” the plant, giving it the strength it needs to “hold its own”. The stake is planted in the same soil as the plant, but it does not draw resources away from the plant. It is connected to the plant, but it is not a permanent bond.

The stake also provides a boundary for the young plant or tree, keeping it from overgrowing too soon and invading the space (and life source) of other plants. The stake is a temporary support system and a wise gardener knows it must be removed at some point or it will stunt the growth and development of the young plant or tree.

As a tree grows, its roots must grow deep and wide in order to find sufficient nutrients to survive. The outwards growth, or spread, is necessary to provide width to the base of the trunk. When a tree is staked too long, the trunk will not grow wide enough and later in life, strong winds can blow the tree over, sometimes even causing the trunk to break.

Discipleship is similar to staking. God will place people around you to help you grow. They should provide boundaries and help you bear the weight of your talents, desires, and calling. They provide strength for a season, but eventually God will pull them away so you can learn to stand in your own space and withstand the storms of life that are ordained for that space.

It is best to have someone who is planted in the same soil as you, without taking resources away from you. That speaks to mature individuals, who have not only been tested, but have passed their tests. These people, your stakes, must also understand that the bond they have with you is not a permanent connection, meaning they must eventually pull back so you can prove that you are strong enough to stand. You will not, you cannot reach your full potential unless they release you.

So be grateful for the people God has surrounded you with. Learn from them, lean on them, but be willing to grow into your full destiny and purpose. Make sure your trunk, your foundation, is both deep and wide so that you will not just survive, but thrive. Then your fruit will remain and become a source of life. Your presence will become a place of refuge and a shade for others.

Don’t hate the stakes, enjoy them while you can, for they are temporary and it is in your best interest that they eventually be pulled back. You cannot be afraid to grow without them, or even outgrow them.

Grow up. Your destiny is at stake.