City people see tarmac as a route from one shopping mecca to the next, a blacktop convenience that allows them to move freely about without obstructions barring their path. Nope, not in the Low Country of North Carolina. Drive down one of the state’s backwoods lanes. This is farming land, where the roads lead from one field to another. That strip of asphalt is how we get our oversized tractors from this field to that, and everyone else had better stay out of the way.
Sometimes we’re that lumbering machinery, blocking the road, and slowing people who have better things to do. At times, we block ourselves, creating our own slowdown. Sometimes we need to pull over so that we can get past ourselves, allowing us to get on with the work of the Lord.
Here’s how we do it:
First, find other believers and socialize with them.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20.
Second, search out people in the church we might have overlooked.
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” Acts 20:28.
Third, hunker down for the long haul.
“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.
Fourth, share what God has done for us with our fellow believers.
“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” Psalm 22:22.
Fifth, lift our hands to God and shout with great enthusiasm.
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:1-6.
We can’t afford to be stuck behind ourselves on the road to Glory. We need to apply the gas and get into the passing lane. We do it by faith in the Word of God and participation with our fellow believers. We leave the poky us in our dust, so that we can forge ahead for Christ.
Things that slow us down need to be tossed off our cart, so that God can use us to further his cause.
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Code: FGO.D.11.16c.vp.esv