Go For It

Col 3:1  So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. 
Pursue the things over which Christ presides. 
Col 2:7  You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your 
way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the 
subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

	Enough talk, already. Don't you just love it when there is an endless stream of 
discussion and a complete encompassing of the subject, but no resulting action? It's like 
having the best-made car in the world sitting in the garage. It's an example of a completed 
product, from concept, design, and craftsmanship to the finishing touches. Nothing has 
been spared or left out of its detailed construction. There is no doubt that it will perform 
its purpose with unparalleled precision, comfort and pleasure. What really makes it 
special having that car in the garage, though, is knowing all the details of its features and 
design. To expound upon its power, handling, ergonomics, etc. can bring hours of 
substance to a social event, along with a great sense that having that car in the garage is 
something that definitely brings importance and significance. 
	What's interesting about the car in the garage, however, is that it doesn't really 
take all that detailed understanding of its every part for it to function and provide a means 
of transportation. While the technical discussions might be going from extended to 
endless, the person most removed from an understanding of its full capabilities can sit in 
the driver's seat, engage the ignition, put it in gear, and begin using it in its purpose. They 
may never reach its maximum speed or discover the full extent of its ability to take a 
corner, but they have gone beyond the discussions of what those might be, to the simple 
application of its purpose. Additional information may eventually bring a better 
experience, but only the information that is actually applied will bring fulfillment to that 
car's designed purpose. 
	After all the books and after all the tapes, after all the meetings and words of 
knowledge, after all the visitations and impartations, maybe it's time for a test drive. For 
everything that is understood, there is actually a place to go with it. As long as it remains, 
well preserved in the garage, it may be that nothing is left out in its understanding, but it 
will be of no more use than the simple gratification of knowing that it's there. It's much 
more important to just learn how to drive by actually getting out there and practicing than 
trying to somehow know everything about how it works first. If it's really all that great, it 
can take care of its part if only the steering wheel, brake, and accelerator can be located 
and utilized with increasing skill. There may be moments when things aren't applied 
perfectly and something gets bumped and dented, but as long as they are being used, 
there is increased ability and understanding gained in applying their capabilities. 
	We received the keys to this awesome, powerful force when we accepted the gift 
of Christ. From the moment we first accepted His life in all of its well-crafted glory, we 
were able to apply what was provided in it. And we did, initially. Then the discussions 
began. Though completely necessary to growing in the fullness of His provision, food 
without exercise just produces fat, and it became a challenge to leave the table and 
actually go out and run with the nourishment obtained there. The car just left in its 
protected place will eventually lose its functionality, as the parts need to be kept moving 
in order to lubricate and maintain motion. Likewise, it is most essential that this awesome 
vehicle of life in Christ leave the room of conversation and enter the roadways that will 
really reveal its incredible power and perfection. 
	At the end of this day, may it be that we have arrived at a new destination and 
made progress towards the mark, the goal, the prize. May the reality of God's great 
presence have been more than a parked subject of conversation. And, may there be liberty 
and freedom from the 'whys', the 'whens', and the 'hows', as their answers are found on 
the roadway of applied purpose. Let's go for it and find the joy and peace of discovery his 
way brings. 

Col 2:6  My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been 
given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him.


5/17/06