2010 Mar/Apr - Staying In Step
Growing up, I was a member of the Pathfinder Club, a church youth organization similar to Boy Scouts of America. Annually, we participated in the local Veterans Day parade, a very notable event in my hometown. Preparation for the big parade involved many hours of marching on the school’s football field. Unfortunately, I was frequently challenged with keeping in step with my peers. Determined to march in the parade, I decided that my cadence could be improved by marching in step with the person in front of me. I developed a sense of security as I marched in sequence with my peer member—until the club’s director informed me that my chosen guide was also out of step. The director further advised that if this problem persisted, it would mean disaster for the upcoming parade. Instructions were then given to the entire club to focus only on the director, and to stay in step with him.
I am a Navy Reserve chaplain and that experience has been true to life many times over during my participation in parades, ceremonies, and other occasions that required marching. Beyond the physical lessons of this experience are meaningful spiritual implications. As Christians we are called to stay in step with Christ and not the world: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). However, reality reveals that when Christ is not the central focus, our spiritual lives, like the marching experience, lose cadence, resulting in a replication of the mistakes of others.
Christ, who is the best example for successful living, deserves our complete focus. He will lead us to Calvary, and ultimately to heaven. This is what the Easter story is all about. It culminates with His resurrection—the most important steps recorded in human history: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).
My desire is that your steps will align closer with Christ as you read the inspiring articles of this issue. And if you are out of step with Him, please determine that you will not be satisfied until you are walking once again in step with the Master. WJ2
|
