Transcending the Past
Speed’s Way
For about four years, one night each week I’d head east from Oxnard to Newbury Park on Potrero Road, the old Conejo Grade, much was steep and winding with fine curves…ideal for my Mustang ragtop. Returning uphill at 10 PM, Potrero had no traffic at all, and I could let the Mustang be the sports car Ford designed. When approaching a curve, I let off the gas to decrease my speed…braking while turning doesn’t give you optimal control.
Sports car mags then said the shortest distance came when hugging the inner part of the curve, so I did that. No one ever caught or passed me on that road, and I felt pretty confident about my cornering.
On the course with the Lambo, I used my experience and eased off on the gas at the first curve, “NO!” came Megan’s instant response. “Never coast. Your foot belongs on either the gas or brake pedal.” My old experiences had taken over. This Lambo and course were different, coasting kills your time.
The next issue arrived when, like always, I turned into the turn, wanting to hug the entire inner curve. Another “NO!” Instead on one long sweeping turn, you make two quick ones and maintain more speed. Why? The Lambo turns and accelerates and holds its grip better than any of my cars had ever done. The Lambo could do it, my Mustang could not.
Frankly, my experiences on other cars became useless in the Lambo on a road course. And more than useless, they hurt my driving.
God’s Way
My early experiences also hampered my spiritual life. They helped me accept Jesus and make better decisions and provided friends. But spiritually, I drove through life in an OK Honda Accord, not a Lamborghini Gallardo 550.
Two misconceptions hindered me.
First, I thought behavior determined my spiritual vigor, and didn’t realize that my behavioral acts don’t bring me to God, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Yes, behavior counts, but faith primarily means relationship, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (John 17:3). That intimacy with the Creator defines our faith, not primarily our behavior. Our behavior changes out of loving God.
Second, I took too much responsibility for spiritual strength. The changes that God brought caused overconfidence, and temptations soon blasted me. I began to rely on the power of the Spirit who now lived in me, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8). Saying yes to the Spirit, consistently, brought his power.
I had to discard some of my previous experiences, in order to live the Lambo life in Christ.
Crossing the Finish Line
Do you have some earlier experiences that hinder your walk with Jesus? Which? How can you reformulate them into more effective traits? Will you?