Better, Stronger, Faster

I recently watched the independent documentary "Better, Stronger, Faster" about the prevalent use of performance enhancing drugs in sports. It was a very interesting film to say the least. The FDA warnings for vitamin C are more scary than those involved in most performance drugs. As a society we get upset with athletes who cut corners or have an unfair advantage through enhancers. We get frustrated that their success is not a result of the combination of natural gifting and hard work, but a third element introduced into their system.

Why is it then that we have such an aversion to the natural character development we read about in scripture. In our spiritual lives we so often want something to help us bypass the discipline of time and energy invested in pursuit of Jesus and reach some unrealistic instantaneous level of spiritual development.

People run to "revival" experiences in search of immediate life transformation. With hopes of getting some "re" into their once "vived" life they search for the latest movement and make the trek to bask in the presence at yet another altar. I personally have had some very deep and transformational experiences like this. Shoulder to shoulder with close friends, broken before a holy God. These experiences leave his fingerprints on our very soul. Yet, too often we see people disappointed with the lack of immediate transformation and rather than a life forever changed we find a life forever stuck in the cyclical natural of revival seeking. I speak from personal experience. Because I have had these experiences, I see great value in them and at times have even longed for something similar in order to refresh my soul.

What I have experienced though is that often these experiences alone, with no true submission to Jesus as Lord and no death to self, simply become like gasoline on wet wood. Burns bright and big for a moment until the gas burns off and then what is left is still just wet wood. Not much unlike it was prior to the fire. The heat is pleasing for a moment, but in order to get more fire you need more gasoline. If the wood itself is never consumed the heat will continue to be short lived and of little lasting value.

Scripture talks often of the value of being faithful, even through trials and persecution.

On the day of Pentecost we see Peter step up and deliver a powerful evangelistic message that leads to literally thousands of people following Jesus. I forget that he had years of walking daily with Jesus. Some BIG failures, even denial of Jesus. Post resurrection Jesus finds Peter and charges him to feed the sheep. By the time Peter gets to Acts 2 he has walked with Jesus for years (on water as well), seen the risen Christ, been empowered to lead the church and charged to feed Jesus sheep. Empowerment was one step in a life devoted following Jesus.

I desire to be bigger, stronger and faster spiritually. I would be thrilled should Jesus choose to take me to a new place spiritually in a miraculous and instantaneous way.

I personally will no longer seek short cuts or temporary fixes. I am in this for the long haul. I know that there is a more Jesus like me down the road. He is a result of choosing to follow Jesus as Lord every day of my life.

I want fire that burns deep and hot and long.