Choosing God's Way Takes Practice
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
Copyright January 2016
God has provided everything we need for each day we face. The problem we all wrestle with is not walking in the new life Christ has provided for us and defaulting to our old ways of handling situations.
Galatians 5:22-25 talks about our new life in Christ of love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, kindness and self control. Each day, in each situation, we can choose to keep in step with God or do things our way- the old self centered way.
It is like God has given us a brand new car, representing our new life in him, and he tells us to take it out for a spin. Our old life, represented by an old beat up dilapidated junk yard car, is right there, comfortable for us to continue to use or we can simply get in the new vehicle God has given us, learn about it and practice driving it. Romans 6:4 says, “...just as Christ was raise from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (NIV) Which will we choose?
The new car, is nice, pretty, and has all the bells and whistles, safety features but we just are not comfortable driving it so we go back to what we are comfortable with. Each day, in every situation, everyone of us has the opportunity to practice walking in newness of life, practicing driving our new gift, or default to immature and out of date ways of handling situations we face. We get to choose what we will drive.
I had a convertible car I had driven for years. Although it was 9 years old, it was comfortable. My husband recently bought me as SUV, as I am on the road a great deal and he wanted me in something safer and bigger. I have had to learn a lot about driving my new vehicle and I am still practicing and learning about this vehicle.
With our new life in Christ, there is much to learn and practice. The other day, I had an opportunity to choose and practice. I was traveling on business and I ordered a cup of coffee and sat down to wait for my eggs and ham. As the young girl placed my breakfast in front of me, I felt the Lord say, “She needs to know how much I love her and how special she is to me.” I knew it was the Lord but in my mind, I began to think that I did not have much time and needed to hurry to my next appointment. I then sipped may coffee, only to discover that it was not hot, but actually cool in temperature. I had just paid good money for a hot cup of coffee, About that time, the waitress came back and asked, “Is there anything else I can do for you?” “Yes, if you could get me another cup of coffee, I would really appreciate it.” I said kindly. “This one is not very hot,” I stated. When she returned, she apologized and thanked me for not getting upset about cold coffee and said she deals with many customers that get mad and upset. I realized at that moment, it was much more important to God that I was kind to this young girl than it was that I had a hot cup of coffee.
Seizing the moment, I stepped out in faith, hoping she did not think I was crazy, and told her how special she was to God and how much he loved her. Much to my surprise, she sat down at my table and began to weep. Those words were life to her soul. They were exactly what she needed. We visited a few minutes and then I asked her if I could pray for her. She readily agreed and we prayed. Her entire countenance began to change and I saw a new sparkle in her eye. I was so glad I chose to practice kindness instead of my right to a hot cup of coffee.
Each day, in each situation, we can choose to keep in step with our new life in Christ and practice driving our new vehicle or revert to old self centered ways, our old vehicle. If you find yourself in your junk yard car, put it in park and get out. Enjoy God’s provision of newness of life, remember, practice makes perfect. None of us are too old to learn anything and all of us need more practice in walking in love, joy, peace, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness and self control. Join me in choosing God’s new provision for us, new life in him, learning about it and practice, practice, practice.
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a writer and speaker. She passionate about helping people discover their value and worth and is a native of the Hill Country. You can reach her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog for other writings at www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com
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