Staying put but not staying the same

"God may keep you indefinitely in the same place but if you walk with Him, you cannot remain the same person"  Beth Moore

This was pastor Raymond's first sermon of the year 2022 and this quote struck a chord with me on a few levels. The most direct impact of this is of course about our transformation when we accept Christ. Truly accept Him. We are warned that this transformation may not come easily in the parable of the sower - Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9 and Luke 8:5-8. Much depends on the circumstances we find ourselves, and whether we recognise our own role in this. It is useful to note in the parable that until things take a wrong turn, it is easy to believe that true transformation has taken place in most of the scenarios.

I have heard arguments that once we are truly saved, the transformation is in some sense, automatic. I held some version of this view once, but now think it is a little bit of a circular argument. In some respects it is akin to the 'once saved, always saved' perspective. I am no expert and won't go into it but will only say that it ignores the role of free will. There will be stops, obstacles along the way as we do not magically transform overnight. At various points, we are presented with choices and we will stumble because sin is still in us. This point about us still being sinners is I suspect one of the most difficult things to grapple with - indeed, if someone comes to Christ without acknowledging this basic fact, it will be a tough path ahead. The reason why there is a struggle with self-righteousness is because there is a very human tendency to mistake the process for the outcome. It is easy to believe the truth of the gospel makes us superior (or simply good as compared) to others who don't get it - and may explain why in the past I had rejected the message from people who came across in that manner.

I believe that in fact, the truth of the gospel should make us realise even more acutely aware of our sinfulness, and then for us to pray constantly for God to remind us of this. It must be a daily struggle, unless we are saints! We will falter but He is there, and we simply need to remember to repent, and thank Christ for our salvation.

The other reflection I had from the quote was how this mental picture of being kept in the same place was such an apt description of life in this pandemic. There are many people who lament that they are unable to travel, that somehow life has almost become unbearable because of that. There are those who protest against any kind of restrictions that cramp their lifestyles. Perhaps they feel they are less interesting people because of that, that they lead less fulfilling lives now that they can't do what they normally do. I can understand how leisure has become such an important part of our lives but would hope that the current situation helps us to refocus on what is truly important. But I guess, all of us are seeking to fill our lives with meaning. Some of us have found it in Christ.

But it is the second part of the quote that made this reflection resonate with me. With Christ, we need not embellish our lives with hollow achievements of 'been there and done that'. We would never remain the same if He is in our lives. Every day we would grow closer to Him. Conversely, if He is not in our lives, we could travel the world, enjoy all the riches in the world but it would not fundamentally change who we really are - wretched sinners who cannot save ourselves no matter how hard we try.

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