Jim Inkster

Passionate Pursuit Jim Inkster

Do you remember what it is like to be a new Christian? Everything is fresh, new, and exciting! There's a discovery around every corner. Every message you hear is full of revelation and previously unknown wonders. I call it the honeymoon phase of our walk. Ah, the honeymoon, that glorious stage where no matter what you ask for, it happens. After a time there is a subtle shift in seasons. God doesn't seem to answer every prayer the way you think it should be answered. Then there is this issue of character that He seems awfully interested in. We go through a process of transformation, which, even if we know it's going to happen, isn't really easy. His process seems to release trials, temptations and tests. This is a time when God doesn't tend to miraculously deliver you from the object of His attention in your life. We have to go through difficult situations to be changed. He allows this process so that we see what's truly in our own heart and learn to surrender it to Him. It can be a tough grind and can wear down your enthusiasm and exuberance. Some people never make it through, like a plant with very little root; they wilt under the heat of His scrutiny. We call this process "maturing in the faith". One problem with the process is we all seem to lose a measure of the joy and unbridled passion that we first have. Sometimes we can become a little jaded or cynical. We prayed for the miraculous to happen and instead, got dragged through sheep shears backwards. We become steady, stable, staid, mature believers that leaders and others can depend on but some of the fire is gone, maybe even all of it. Well, can you have some fire and passion as a mature Christian? Does the pilgrimage have to rob us of this joy? Obviously we gain knowledge and revelation as we walk in The Way. But does it have to become boring, tedious or hardly relevant to our everyday life?No - it doesn't have to be!