Have you ever tried running up an escalator that is going down?
If you keep the same pace as the escalator then, you might stay in the same place. But if you go slower than its pace, you’ll go down with it. It isn’t unless you run up at a faster pace than the escalator that you will go up and eventually reach the top.
Our walk with God is the same way. We are on this escalator ride called life, and because sin entered the world when Adam sinned, life’s natural tendency is to drag us down (Romans 5:12). To walk with God is to go against our natural sin nature (Romans 7:5-6). It is an uphill climb. If anyone says it will be easy and without effort to be a Christian and live a spirit-led life, they are lying (Matthew 7:13-14). The good news is His strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9), and that all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27). We are called to seek God. We are called to run whole-heartedly after Him, forsaking all distractions.
Imagine that in addition to having to run up the escalator to have a faster pace, you must not get distracted. There are distractions on every side of the escalator to get your attention so you will slow down or just pause for a moment on the escalator. There are movies, TV shows, music, cars, popularity, riches, vacations, food, technology, video games, cell phones, and more things lining the escalator going down with the steps. Many of those things are harmless on their own; but if they get our focus off what is at the end of that escalator – off Christ – off of the kingdom, then they are distractions.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
- Matthew 6:33
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
-Matthew 13:45-46
Total Abandonment.
Single-mindedness.
Forsaking all for one thing.
KINGDOM – nothing else matters.
We have justified our distractions long enough. If it is not furthering the kingdom of God, what is it furthering? Ourselves? The world? The kingdom of darkness?
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrew 12:1-2
It is not easy to run up an escalator that is going the opposite direction. As a matter of fact, you will probably look funny doing it, get weird looks from people, and have someone tell you it is not allowed. But in your spiritual life, it is the only way to grow in your relationship with God.
If you keep the same pace as the escalator then, you might stay in the same place. But if you go slower than its pace, you’ll go down with it. It isn’t unless you run up at a faster pace than the escalator that you will go up and eventually reach the top.
Our walk with God is the same way. We are on this escalator ride called life, and because sin entered the world when Adam sinned, life’s natural tendency is to drag us down (Romans 5:12). To walk with God is to go against our natural sin nature (Romans 7:5-6). It is an uphill climb. If anyone says it will be easy and without effort to be a Christian and live a spirit-led life, they are lying (Matthew 7:13-14). The good news is His strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9), and that all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27). We are called to seek God. We are called to run whole-heartedly after Him, forsaking all distractions.
Imagine that in addition to having to run up the escalator to have a faster pace, you must not get distracted. There are distractions on every side of the escalator to get your attention so you will slow down or just pause for a moment on the escalator. There are movies, TV shows, music, cars, popularity, riches, vacations, food, technology, video games, cell phones, and more things lining the escalator going down with the steps. Many of those things are harmless on their own; but if they get our focus off what is at the end of that escalator – off Christ – off of the kingdom, then they are distractions.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
- Matthew 6:33
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
-Matthew 13:45-46
Total Abandonment.
Single-mindedness.
Forsaking all for one thing.
KINGDOM – nothing else matters.
We have justified our distractions long enough. If it is not furthering the kingdom of God, what is it furthering? Ourselves? The world? The kingdom of darkness?
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrew 12:1-2
It is not easy to run up an escalator that is going the opposite direction. As a matter of fact, you will probably look funny doing it, get weird looks from people, and have someone tell you it is not allowed. But in your spiritual life, it is the only way to grow in your relationship with God.
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