Human Nature

We have all had children, or watched others as their children have taken their first steps.  If you have not witnessed this, you have missed out on one of the most amazing things in life.  As a child takes that first step, the encouragement of the parent is at it’s best. “Come on, You can do it!”  The child takes one or two steps and falls.  Again, the parent gets the kid up and holds them by the hands to steady them and the process begins all over again.  This time maybe the kid takes three steps.  The reality is; the child falls multiple times before they get it down.  And once they begin to walk, they are all over the place.  This is a very proud moment for the parent as well as the child.

Once the child seems to master this, he or she then has to learn limitations or how to navigate when the terrain changes.  Again, every step is a victory!!  You see, this is human nature at its finest!  We were designed to achieve what seems impossible.  As simple as walking is, it can be compared to everything we do in life.  It is the same in athletics, weather swinging a bat, or shooting a basketball, or striking a hockey puck while skating.  You see, It is the very nature God has given us to succeed in whatever we put our minds to.  This analogy can also be used in school, or in our jobs.

So, why is it that we can all learn to walk, but not everyone can become a doctor, or an engineer, or run a marathon, or develop gifts to become professional athletes?  Let me give you my theory:

As a child, we have the very best support system!!  Our parents are there, and we are determined to take that first step, and grow into great walkers maneuvering through all kinds of terrain.  As we grow older, falling down becomes a bit humiliating.  We don’t like to let others see us fail.  I am reminded of the story of Michael Jordan.  He did not make his basketball team when he first tried out.  The difference is, his reactions were much like a child learning to walk.  He could have just quit.  I’m sure he would have went on to college and done well.  I am also reminded of many of the early Americans such as Alexander Graham Bell, who we can than for the telephone, or Thomas Edison who we can thank for electric light.

So all of these analogies are great, but what am I getting at here?  As Christians, we are quick to pray when we need a miracle.  However, many of us fall, and feel as though our prayers are not heard.  What happens next is totally against the very nature that God himself put in us.  We lie down and quit.  We hate the thought of the possibility that our prayers are not heard or that God just will not answer.  So, from a scriptural standpoint, what lesson can be learned here?

First of all, there is no blueprint!!  Your relationship with God is between you and him.  All I can say is,” be as diligent about getting your answer form God as you were to take your first steps.”  So you say, “I had a mom and dad to encourage me to take those steps.”  Well, You have a larger fan base in the Body of Christ who wants to see you succeed even more than you did when you took those first steps “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it  will be open Matthew 7:7-8

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV    So Now we begin to see what seperates the winners from the ones who struggle.  Proverbs 8:17 says” I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

Relentless!!  That is what God created us to be!  You may ask yourself, “Why don’t I have the time to seek God this way?  You can seek him in everything you do at work, at school, or on the job.  God wants to have that relationship with you.   Most of us say a prayer and just say to ourselves, “I hope he heard me!” or “Well, I did my part Lord” and then we just say 5 min later, “Well, I guess God does not care for me!”  And then we hang our heads and walk around all day feeling defeated. This is the furthest behavior from what you started off in life when you began to walk.

How many of you would feel comfortable calling someone you did not know and asking for $100?  On the flip side,  How many of you, if called by someone you knew and loved that needed $100 would not hesitate to give it?

Hebrews 11:6 Says” And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

I will leave you with one more scripture, Mark11:22  “Have faith in God”  This seems so easy, but it is a developmental process such as learning to walk.  I encourage each of you to stand tall and take your place in Christ.  Become the person he has designed you to be.  This is a process.  No baby is born walking.  And, before you can run, you must first begin to walk.  So my prayer for you is that your relationship with Jesus this year of 2016 becomes a much more personal one.  I pray that you seek him diligently and that he not only hears your prayers, but that the communication becomes profound and full cycle by your receiving feedback from God as you talk to him daily.

God Bless You All Today!

Big Daddy Chaddy