Going Nowhere, Fast!

 

Today I had to drive a forklift that I am not really used to driving. It's an old gas forklift. The control panel is completely different than the truck that I usually drive. This one has a gear shift like a car does. Forward, push it up. Reverse, push it down. Neutral, leave in the middle. So I hop on the truck, get it started, hit the gas pedal and............nothing. The truck does not move. What in the world. I start looking around to see if something is blocking my way. Nope not that. I turn it back off and start over. Turn the key, the motor starts, hit the gas pedal once more and still nothing. Now I am really getting frustrated. Why won't this thing move?? Then I realize that I still have it in neutral. DOH! Not going anywhere with it stuck in neutral! So I put it into gear, and alas, off  I go. Who knew!

Well if you know me at all, this little event got me started thinking about how many of us are living our lives stuck in neutral? Not moving forward or backward. We're just not moving at all. How many of us are stuck in neutral in our walk with Jesus?

God wants us to grow. Not to stay in the same place as when we first believed in Him.

2 Peter 3:18 Living Bible

18 But grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all glory and splendid honor, both now and forevermore. 

He wants us to mature as we walk with Him. How many of us get annoyed with someone when they still act childish after they have reached adulthood? Many of us I would say!

1 Corinthians 13:11 Living Bible

11 It’s like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things.

Jesus wants us to engage, not to just sit idly by (staying in neutral). Get to doing. Be Jesus' hands & feet extended. Help someone out. Be the light to somebody. 

Revelation 3:16 New Living Translation

16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 

He is calling us to action. If we stay lukewarm (neutral) we are useless to Him. Then we go nowhere, fast!

I want to be used by God. I want to say "Speak Lord, Your servant is listening." I don't want to be lukewarm or stuck in neutral. 

I pray the same for all of you. Time to put it into gear!