Fly

I can’t imagine how confused the caterpillar is.  He crawls along the ground... little legs propelling him ever so slowly toward his destination.  But somewhere in his heart he knows there is supposed to be more to life.  He has dreams about it.  Day after day he sees his friends “disappear” and in their place emerge beautiful creatures with brightly colored wings... soaring beyond the restrictions of tiny legs.  

Yet there he sits tethered to the earth by his tiny feet.  

And he begins to doubt the dream.  

What has God made me for?

Am I REALLY supposed to fly?

Wouldn’t it be easier to just give in and stay small?

“No, I can’t.  I was born to fly.”

“No you weren’t.  You were meant to be just like the other caterpillars.  Just go over there, eat those leaves, and give up.”

“But I can’t.  It’s stamped on my soul.  God made me to be a butterfly!”

“If God made you to fly... how come you didn’t start out already doing it?”

A good question.   One that many people ask.  If God created me for greatness... how come I’m not that way by default?  Why do I have to take the long road to my potential... why wouldn’t a loving God give me the shortcut?  Why does it take so long to fly?

Because you need the process so you can handle the progress.   

You need the cocoon experience.  The growth.  The challenges.  The preparation.  The learning.  The strengthening.  And maybe the hardest of all...

The waiting. 

Cocoon time... that time where we develop and change shape... is often the most challenging part of our existence.   We wonder when it will happen... or even if it will.  God says everything happens in His perfect time:

“For everything there is a season,

    a time for every activity under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

God’s timing may seem slow to us... but it often takes that much time for us to learn to trust Him more.  He’s not waiting to act... He’s waiting on us.

And while you’re waiting... everyone else seems to be judging you.  But remember, the world sees an ugly cocoon... but God sees the beauty that’s developing inside of it.  

The transformation from scared to secure.

The change from sullen to satisfied

The metamorphosis from shackled to set free.

God sees you.  Challenged...curious... like the caterpillar... wondering if that stirring in your heart will really happen or not.   You’re seeing your friends prosper.   Being blessed.   They’re moving forward and you seem to be going nowhere.  

Make no mistake.  God is working in your life.  He’s just making sure that your transformation is complete.  Everything that is happening right now is for a reason.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Please don’t misread this verse... all things that happen to you won’t be good things.  But, like I said last weekend, God can use them for something positive in your life.   

-  Your pain will build muscles to endure future challenges.  

• That break-up will hurt now... but someday you will learn to trust again.  Only this time, you’ll know more about yourself.

• The financial pit you find yourself in?  An opportunity to re-prioritize and grow.

The cocoon isn’t always pleasant.  In fact, getting out of it can be a struggle too.   Science tells us that if you try to help a butterfly by cutting open it’s cocoon and letting it out... it won’t survive.  It needs the struggle of pushing out... building endurance... strengthening  its wings.  Without the effort... it fails.

Same for you.  Your challenges make you stronger. So you can do more than just survive for the long-term...  the difficulties...the transformation.. the pushing through... all build important life-muscle so you can

fly.  

It’s stamped on your soul.  You were created with a purpose to do something great.  

If you woke up this morning feeling like a tiny caterpillar... spend some time with God and let Him reassure you that you were meant for so much more...  You’re getting stronger with each passing day... and someday soon, in God’s perfect time, you’ll break free and fly.  

Training for Gold

In the last Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode won the gold medal in skeet shooting making her the first American to win 5 Olympic medals in 5 consecutive Olympic games. That’s a span of 20 years and not her only distinction. In the 2012 games, she hit 99 out of 100 skeet setting a new Olympic record and tying the world record for the event. As if that wasn’t accomplishment enough... her first medal was in the 1996 Summer Games making her the youngest female gold medalist in Olympic shooting.

How does this happen?

In an interview with the New York Times, Rhode answers the question of how. She shoots anywhere from 500 to 1,000 rounds every day of the week year around. To save you the math, this is 3,000,000 plus shots with a shotgun. That’s 600,000 rounds per medal. Over three million practice shots. Time after time. Every single day on her calendar.

Kim would be the first to tell you... it’s all about the preparation. What you do on your own time is as important (if not more so) than what you do in the spotlight. Her excellence on the range is due to her diligence, discipline, and perseverance. In other words... there are no shortcuts. Gold medals don’t hang around the necks of those that wing it... that hope for the best... that count on good fortune or a favorable breeze. Champions don’t materialize... they are made.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul talks about this type of preparation.

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

All of us run the race of life. We lace up our shoes each morning, get on a bus or in a car, and head somewhere that requires us to make a difference. We make decisions, contribute to relationships, communicate ideas, raise children, and live out the life that unfolds in front of us. But are we successful? Do we make the most of every opportunity or do we find ourselves reacting... flat-footed. Underprepared for the challenges...

Which brings us to the next important question... how much training do we do? How much of our day is preparation? How many minutes are spent intentionally trying to better ourselves? Are we living on purpose?

- How much time is spent reading and meditating on the scriptures? How many Bible verses have I memorized and keep on my heart?

- How many people do I hold grudges against? Why haven’t I forgiven them?

- Am I raising my children in a way that honors God? How much quality time do I spend with them? Do they know God?

- Am I being the husband/wife that God wants me to be? Is most of my energy spent trying to change my spouse or is it spent becoming a better one?

- Do I spend my day blaming others or confessing my shortcomings to God?

- When was the last time I asked for forgiveness? Given forgiveness?

- Am I living out what I claim to believe? Or do I tell people I believe it because that’s what they expect me to say?

We can avoid these questions or we can run toward them. Don’t settle. Bronze is a beautiful color... but you were created for gold. The eternal prize Paul was talking about? The everlasting salvation found in Christ...making a Kingdom difference in the lives of those around you... changing the destiny of someone bound for eternal separation from God into a life-changing eternal relationship with Him. Growing in Christ... Not surviving life but really living it to its fullest. That’s what we’re after. That’s why we train. To reach the potential that God has placed in our hearts... to fulfill our destiny... to become the men and women that change the world.... and give all glory to God in the process.

But we can’t do it if we aren’t prepared. It isn’t easy. Christ never promised us ease of lifestyle... He promised eternal reward. The challenges will be hard... the competition fierce... and the opposing team? An enemy that prowls like a lion just waiting for us to stop growing and start settling. Ready to win? Every race... every result... the path to every gold medal was all began the same way.

Deciding to start.

I Will Rise Again

In the 1800s, A printer decided to earn some money by printing lithographs of a young and beardless president Lincoln.  It took awhile to print them and before he had the chance to sell the first one... it was revealed that Lincoln had grown a beard.  This printer had a stack of beautiful photos that no longer looked like the president.  What did  he do?  Instead of letting his failure define him, he went a completely different direction to earn money.. he invented a game... Checkers.  You may recognize this young printer’s name... Milton Bradley.  He went on to become a huge success as the father of board games worldwide.

Failure does one of two things... it either defeats us or it makes us more determined.  In the Bible, Micah gives his reaction to failure in chapter 7  “Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again.”  Is that you today?  Have you been hit with a failure?  Change course, stay focused on God, and never give up!   And you, just like Micah, will rise up and enjoy future success!

Out of the Bucket

Fisherman know that when they go out to sea to catch different types of crabs, they don’t need to put a lid on their capture bucket.   Why?  Because once they’re caught... crabs never try to escape.  Not because they are unable to.. but because when one tries, the others drag him back down.  It’s what is called the “crab mentality.”  If we all can’t escape... nobody can.  

Sadly, some people are the same way.  They just can’t stand to see others happy.  If they can’t be filled with joy... neither can you.  If they can’t succeed... they’re keeping you down there with them.  The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:3 to do nothing selfishly... but consider other people as better than ourselves.  Want a cure for the “crab mentality?”   Resist the urge to keep them in the bucket... instead encourage their growth, cheer them on when they win, and help them over the hurdles of life.  God will bless your selflessness.

Success

It’s been said... “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”   

The Bible echoes this in Proverbs 6:6-8

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise!  Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.”

Sometimes in life...unexpected things happen... We catch a break with a bonus check...only to have it swallowed up by a blown tire or an unpaid bill.  How can we be prevent this from happening?  We can’t.  What we can do is prepare for it.  Put money aside.  Save part of what we earn “in the summer” so that if “winter” hits... we’ll be ready.  

Want to know how to catastrophe proof your finances?  Tithe, save, and budget the rest (in that order).  It’s amazing how much easier success in the future becomes when we get ready for it today. 

Gold Not Bronze

In the recent Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode won the gold medal in skeet shooting making her the first American to win 5 Olympic medals in 5 consecutive Olympic games. That’s a span of 20 years and not her only distinction. In the 2012 games, she hit 99 out of 100 skeet setting a new Olympic record and tying the world record for the event. As if that wasn’t accomplishment enough... her first medal was in the 1996 Summer Games making her the youngest female gold medalist in Olympic shooting. 

How does this happen?

In an interview with the New York Times, Rhode answers the question of how. She shoots anywhere from 500 to 1,000 rounds every day of the week year around. To save you the math, this is 3,000,000 plus shots with a shotgun. That’s 600,000 rounds per medal.   Over three million practice shots.  Time after time.  Every single day on her calendar.  

Kim would be the first to tell you... it’s all about the preparation.  What you do on your own time is as important (if not more so) than what you do in the spotlight.  Her excellence on the range is due to her diligence, discipline, and perseverance.  In other words... there are no shortcuts.  Gold medals don’t hang around the necks of those that wing it... that hope for the best... that count on good fortune or a favorable breeze.  Champions don’t materialize... they are made.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul talks about this type of preparation.  

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  

All of us run the race of life.  We lace up our shoes each morning, get on a bus or in a car, and head somewhere that requires us to make a difference.  We make decisions, contribute to relationships, communicate ideas, raise children, and live out the life that unfolds in front of us.  But are we successful?  Do we make the most of every opportunity or do we find ourselves reacting... flat-footed.  Underprepared for the challenges...

Which brings us to the next important question... how much training do we do?   How much of our day is preparation?  How many minutes are spent intentionally trying to better ourselves?  Are we living on purpose?

- How much time is spent reading and meditating on the scriptures? How many Bible verses have I memorized and keep on my heart?

-  How many people do I hold grudges against?  Why haven’t I forgiven them?  

 Am I raising my children in a way that honors God?  How much quality time do I spend with them?  Do they know God?

 Am I being the husband/wife that God wants me to be?  Is most of my energy spent trying to change my spouse or is it spent becoming a better one?

 Do I spend my day blaming others or confessing my shortcomings to God?

When was the last time I asked for forgiveness?  Given forgiveness?

Am I living out what I claim to believe?   Or do I tell people I believe it because that’s what they expect me to say?

We can avoid these questions or we can run toward them.  Don’t settle.  Bronze is a beautiful color... but you were created for gold.  The eternal prize Paul was talking about?  The everlasting salvation found in Christ...making a Kingdom difference in the lives of those around you... changing the destiny of someone bound for eternal separation from God into a life-changing eternal relationship with Him.  Growing in Christ... Not surviving life but really living it to its fullest.  That’s what we’re after.  That’s why we train.  To reach the potential that God has placed in our hearts... to fulfill our destiny... to become the men and women that change the world.... and give all glory to God in the process. 

But we can’t do it if we aren’t prepared.  It isn’t easy.   Christ never promised us ease of lifestyle... He promised eternal reward.   The challenges will be hard... the competition fierce... and the opposing team?  An enemy that prowls like a lion just waiting for us to stop growing and start settling.   Ready to win?  Every race... every result... the path to every gold medal was all began the same way.  

Deciding to start.   

Fly

I can’t imagine how confused the caterpillar is.  He crawls along the ground... little legs propelling him ever so slowly toward his destination.  But somewhere in his heart he knows there is supposed to be more to life.  He has dreams about it.  Day after day he sees his friends “disappear” and in their place emerge beautiful creatures with brightly colored wings... soaring beyond the restrictions of tiny legs.  

Yet there he sits tethered to the earth by his tiny feet.  

And he begins to doubt the dream.  

What has God made me for?

Am I REALLY supposed to fly?

Wouldn’t it be easier to just give in and stay small?

“No, I can’t.  I was born to fly.”

“No you weren’t.  You were meant to be just like the other caterpillars.  Just go over there, eat those leaves, and give up.”

“But I can’t.  It’s stamped on my soul.  God made me to be a butterfly!”

“If God made you to fly... how come you didn’t start out already doing it?”

A good question.   One that many people ask.  If God created me for greatness... how come I’m not that way by default?  Why do I have to take the long road to my potential... why wouldn’t a loving God give me the shortcut?  Why does it take so long to fly?

Because you need the process so you can handle the progress.   

You need the cocoon experience.  The growth.  The challenges.  The preparation.  The learning.  The strengthening.  And maybe the hardest of all...

The waiting. 

Cocoon time... that time where we develop and change shape... is often the most challenging part of our existence.   We wonder when it will happen... or even if it will.  God says everything happens in His perfect time:

“For everything there is a season,

    a time for every activity under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

God’s timing may seem slow to us... but it often takes that much time for us to learn to trust Him more.  He’s not waiting to act... He’s waiting on us.

And while you’re waiting... everyone else seems to be judging you.  But remember, the world sees an ugly cocoon... but God sees the beauty that’s developing inside of it.  

The transformation from scared to secure.

The change from sullen to satisfied

The metamorphosis from shackled to set free.

God sees you.  Challenged...curious... like the caterpillar... wondering if that stirring in your heart will really happen or not.   You’re seeing your friends prosper.   Being blessed.   They’re moving forward and you seem to be going nowhere.  

Make no mistake.  God is working in your life.  He’s just making sure that your transformation is complete.  Everything that is happening right now is for a reason.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Please don’t misread this verse... all things that happen to you won’t be good things.  But, like I said last weekend, God can use them for something positive in your life.   

-  Your pain will build muscles to endure future challenges.  

 That break-up will hurt now... but someday you will learn to trust again.  Only this time, you’ll know more about yourself.

 The financial pit you find yourself in?  An opportunity to re-prioritize and grow.

The cocoon isn’t always pleasant.  In fact, getting out of it can be a struggle too.   Science tells us that if you try to help a butterfly by cutting open it’s cocoon and letting it out... it won’t survive.  It needs the struggle of pushing out... building endurance... strengthening  its wings.  Without the effort... it fails.

Same for you.  Your challenges make you stronger. So you can do more than just survive for the long-term...  the difficulties...the transformation.. the pushing through... all build important life-muscle so you can

fly.  

It’s stamped on your soul.  You were created with a purpose to do something great.  

If you woke up this morning feeling like a tiny caterpillar... spend some time with God and let Him reassure you that you were meant for so much more...  You’re getting stronger with each passing day... and someday soon, in God’s perfect time, you’ll break free and fly.  

Getting Better

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4

When I went to college, I played a lot of basketball... and believe it or not, our team didn't win every game. As you would imagine, those losses hurt... but I remember an important truth that our coach shared with us. He said that the wins were better for our reputation but the losses were better for our game. Why? Because we discovered what we needed to work on to become even better!

Sometimes in life, we have losses. Setbacks. Challenges that appear pointless. Many of us look to Heaven... asking God that age old question... why? The answer is simple...If we won all the time...if everything always worked...many would think they didn’t need God. Failure reminds us that we can’t do it without Him... it teaches us lessons that develop our character... and as James 1 reminds us... it allows our faith and endurance to grow! I challenge you... the next time you face a setback... see it as an opportunity to get stronger and better equipped for future success.

Are You Successful?

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”  Ephesians 1:4

Andy Roddick is a well-known name in the world of tennis...but it wasn’t always that way.  He started playing when he was three and a half years old.  As he got a little older, he never put down his racquet and played tennis in the garage for hours against imaginary opponents.  When he was seven, he was so certain of his future success, he gave his entire family autographed tennis balls for Christmas.  

Andy knew he’d make it in tennis... but so many think they “know” only to find themselves feeling unworthy and unsuccessful.  If that’s you today, I have good news... YOU are already a success where it matters.  In Ephesians 1, Paul tells us that even before He made the world... God loved us.  You are loved by God.  You are His child and He has a plan for your life.   No need to wonder if you’re important... you are.  You may never sign an autograph, but your name is written on God’s heart... and it’s for that reason that you should hold your head up and keep moving forward as the masterpiece you were created to be!

Rise Again

In the 1800s, A printer decided to earn some money by printing lithographs of a young and beardless president Lincoln.  It took awhile to print them and before he had the chance to sell the first one... it was revealed that Lincoln had grown a beard.  This printer had a stack of beautiful photos that no longer looked like the president.  What did  he do?  Instead of letting his failure define him, he went a completely different direction to earn money.. he invented a game... Checkers.  You may recognize this young printer’s name... Milton Bradley.  He went on to become a huge success as the father of board games worldwide.

Failure does one of two things... it either defeats us or it makes us more determined.  In the Bible, Micah gives his reaction to failure in chapter 7  “Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again.”  Is that you today?  Have you been hit with a failure?  Change course, stay focused on God, and never give up!   And you, just like Micah, will rise up and enjoy future success!

Tied Down?

If you’ve ever gone to the circus, you know the size of the mighty elephant.  But did you know that when they are behind the scenes, they are kept in place by tying a tiny rope from their leg to a small stake in the ground?  How does this work?  Simple.  When they were baby elephants, that same small rope used to hold them securely.  Sure, they could easily break it now... but because it used to be strong enough, they’ve become conditioned to believe it always will be.

Many of us are the same way.  A mistake early in our life ties us to the post of failure.  We think... why bother trying to break free?  We’re just like that elephant that stops trying to tug on what used to hold them in place.  Fact is, you aren’t bound by your past to a lifetime of defeat... If you know Christ as Savior, you have His strength to break free.  In Philippians 3, Paul tells us that he has forgotten the past and is focused on the future.  Do the same!  Pull against that tiny rope of your past mistakes and watch it release you.  It’s time to be the person God tells you that you are!

Doing Our Best

Baseball great Joe DiMaggio was a very unique player.   He just never quit.  When asked why he continually gave it all he had (even when the game was out of reach)... DiMaggio smiled and said “"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best."

So many times we don’t try to be great because we can get away with good.  We ease up, slack off, pull back, or slow down.  Not because we can’t do it... but because we don’t have to.  We settle for a “C” when our potential is an “A”.... If you’ve ever felt like letting the feeling of “good enough” take over... remember today’s verse:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”  Colossians 3:23

Joe DiMaggio worked hard consistently because of his inner drive.. his work ethic... and his unwillingness to settle.  He worked for Yankee manager Joe McCarthy.  If you are a Christ-follower... you should work hard, be driven, have a high work ethic, and push the envelope too... but not because you work for a demanding manager.  You work for God.  

Whatever you do... you work for God.  Plumber to pizza maker to politician.... Your boss came to Earth over 2000 years ago and died so that you could be a world-changer.  Defeat the feeling of “good-enough”... push yourself to try harder, work with joy, and represent Christ in everything you do.   Jesus gave all He had.  He held nothing back.  

Why shouldn’t we do the same... all day... everyday.