Welcome again to this week's word for the week. The longer we live the more we learn! How many times have you heard that saying in your life? Like most people you've probably heard it a lot. The question though is how true is that statement? Think about that as we get into this week's word.

When I was younger and growing up I assumed like most people my age that the older one got the more wisdom they gained. When you are young you just assume that age by itself will bring about change. As you get older you assume that time will bring about change. What happens when neither age nor time bring about change? Let's make this more personal. How different are you since you've come to know Jesus?

The reality is that serving Christ is not simply a time or age thing. There are people who are older and have been on this journey for 30 years yet they know no more now than they did when they first started. There are others who are young and have been on this journey for 2 years and they have grown in leaps and bounds. What makes this possible? 

The natural assumption would be that one really wants Christ and the other is too stubborn to change. Many times that by itself is the case. However, I see firsthand that is not always true. There are times when it simply comes down to what God has in store for a person as being the reason they are growing so quickly. Having said that reality let's get back to other things to really consider.

How stubborn are you? I know that's a tough question but be honest with yourself. Where could you be in God if you were not like that? How much are you holding yourself back by not wanting to change? What is your reason for not wanting to change? What is it about change that scares you? What if your inability to change is what your hold up is? What if God wants to do something really great in you but you are stopping that from happening?

This week's word is more than just about change. It's about why you are stuck without making any progress. Many people simply want God on their terms. It sounds crazy to read that but how many reading this fit that statement? How many of you know you should be a lot further along in your Christian walk? We make so many excuses when it comes to God on why we can't. We're too tired, too busy, or don't have enough time. How do we expect to grow that way?

A flower needs care to grow. It must be watered correctly and get the right amount of sunlight. Too much or too little of either will kill it. That flower must grow at a steady pace just like you and I. We must seek the right amount of light and water. What do I mean by that? You can't jump into serving God on a graduate level if you haven't passed elementary school first. You need the basics in order to move on.

Let's go further here. You need a life of prayer before you can ever expect to hear God. You need to learn how to meditate because being overly busy is a sure way to take you off course. You need to learn how to quiet your mind and you need to know what the voice of God truly sounds like. You need a true relationship or you will be easily led astray. God will not oversaturate you. He will take you through steps that prepare you for the next level.

We are too anxious. We are always in a rush. We want it right now because we don't understand that things that last take time to build. It's no secret that a pre-fab house is not built with the same quality as one that took time and was laid brick by brick. The Bible clearly teaches that a house built on the sand will not stand. This is not a difficult thing to know. It's just difficult to do. 

One of the reasons this is a struggle is because we take time for granted. You are not promised tomorrow. What would happen if you lived today like it was truly your last day on earth? How different would you live it? Why? The next question is what is stopping you from living like that everyday? Most people would answer I would live for God like no other. Then why not do that everyday? Why wait until there's trouble to get serious?

In closing, I want you to think about something. What is your salvation really worth to you? Who is Christ to you? How long will you live knowing where you should be but not make any effort to get there? It's not easy but it sure is possible! You have to look deep within yourself and find these answers. You have to know what drives you and why. In other words, you have to be ready to give an account for the hope that is in you. If you've been saved for more than 1 year and you don't know anymore than you did when you got saved there is a major problem. You can't even blame people because the charge is for to seek God for yourself. 

Get back on track and do so in a hurry. Time is ticking and none of us know the day or the hour. We must not only get ready but we must also stay ready. God's Word is not only true but serious. This is not the time to be on an imaginary fence that doesn't exist. Either you're going to be hot or cold. Being lukewarm will get you spewed out. Get your relationship with Christ in order. Live every moment for Him like it's your last. It will take you from simply hearing about His promise to actually walking in it.

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you in His grace,

Bishop Carlos J. Lennon