Frozen

The thought of being frozen is, clearly, not too pleasant. 

Some of our pipes froze this evening and therefore the water flowing to the bathroom was standing still, enclosed in a cold dark place with not much hope of escape.
In order to get the water flowing again, I had to stand on a table (to reach the pipe) and hold a hot hair dryer towards the place where we assumed the ice was restricting the flow.

While standing there for, well, a while, I talked to God. As I did that, He reminded me of how important it is NOT to be stagnant  in my relationship with Him. By the way, this is the full definition of stagnant as explained by Merriam-Webster: 

a :  not flowing in a current or stream

b :  stale -

stale meaning (from Merriam-Webster): not clean, clear, or pure : having an unpleasant taste or smell
c: not advancing or developing

Interesting definitions, don't you think?

When we become stagnant, when we decide we are "good" with God or that there is nothing more to learn we become stale. Not clean, clear, or pure. When we decide to just sit down and let life pass us by without reaching out to help others by sharing the hope of Jesus with them, what happens?

We lose faith and fall away from God and can no longer effectively share God's love with those around us.

Romans 10:14-15 -

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”"

Jesus calls all of us to share the good news of Him to everyone around us.
If we don't keep moving forward, advancing, or developing our relationship with God, we will become stagnant and stale. How then, can we share His love with others when we are not walking closely with Him, learning, and digging deeper into His heart?

Another thing that God revealed to me while using the warm air to heat the cold pipes was how His Word and communication with Him is the "warm air" we need to keep our relationship with Him flowing and growing. And as I patiently waited for the warmth to melt the ice I thought:

a) How patiently God waits for us to call out to Him. It could take many, many years and yet He still waits with His warm arms open wide.

b) How spiritual growth does indeed take time. It's not something that happens overnight. An infant isn't an infant one night and then the next day a toddler. Over many years, the child grows and becomes mature. Just like our relationship with God, we need to dig deep into His heart by reading His word and spending time alone talking to Him in order to grow spiritually mature. And just as a human matures more and more over years, our relationship with God should never stop growing. We should never be satisfied with where we are in our relationship with Him. There are always new things to learn and new ways He is making us into the person He desires us to be.

Never stop growing, never be satisfied with where you are with God.

If you are struggling with moving forward, ask God to search your heart and reveal what is blocking your way. It could be a hidden sin or a deep pain that has been in your soul since you were young. Perhaps someone betrayed you or did many wrongs against you. Ask God to heal those things. He is faithful and will heal you. Persevere. Then move on as a stronger person knowing that Christ is the One who healed you, set you free, and wants you to be more like Him everyday. He will be delighted that you are calling out to Him. 

Romans 8:26-27 -

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

James 1:12 -
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

[Definition of persevere - continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.]

2 Corinthians 13:5 -

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you -- unless indeed you fail the test?"

The footnotes in my NIV Study Bible explains 2 Cor. 13:5 further -

The Corinthians were called to examine and test themselves to see if they really were Christians. Just as we get physical check-ups, Paul urges us to give ourselves spiritual check-ups. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ's presence and power in our lives. Only then will we know if we are truly Christians or merely imposters. If we're not taking active steps to grow closer to God, we are drawing further away from Him. (Emphasis added) 

`I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. `So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. `Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Complacency#sthash.fTVeu9M8.dpuf

`I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. `So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. `Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Complacency#sthash.fTVeu9M8.dpuf

The Christian life is work. Living in this world, for me, can be very difficult. There are so many worldly distractions all around us. Whether it's entertainment, money, fame, beauty - there are hundreds of things that can keep us away from growing closer to God. That's exactly where satan wants us to be so he can grab a hold of us and convince us that God is no longer listening and no longer cares.Satan wants us to feel like we are in a cold dark place with no hope of escape.

Being complacent is very dangerous place to be. Do not grow weary in your faith, God is with us always, He is listening and He cares. He hasn't abandoned you.

He is waiting for you.  

Jesus will meet you where you're at, right now, and if you ask Him to forgive you and that you want to live for Him, He will gladly guide you and keep you close to Him. Don't give up, keep moving forward. There is a lot of work to do here on this earth.

Read God's Word and talk to Him. Let the warmth of His love melt the frozen places in your heart that are restricting growth.

"With hope locked in and my future sure, my life has a cause worth fighting for. My soul exists to know Your Name."

Strive to know Christ more. Seek Him, draw near to Him. And fall more and more in love with Him.

-Brit

PS. The pipes are no longer frozen and the water in the bathroom is flowing once more.

Rise up, you women who are at ease, And hear my voice; Give ear to my word, You complacent daughters. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Complacency#sthash.fTVeu9M8.dpuf