Unveiled

 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)

Our church's women's retreat was led this year by Linda Strickland of Christian Healing Ministries.  I wanted to share Linda's challenges.

1. Stay in the Word, find community and get prayer.
2. Set God-sized goals.
3. Don't let fear dictate your decisions.
4. Stop repeating the past, start making a future and start playing to win.
5. Burn your sinful bridges.
6. Let Jesus have your shame.
7. Challenge old assumptions.
8. Become part of the solution.
9. Be yourself.
10. Quit making excuses, stop playing defense and play offense.
11. Quit playing it safe.

Our ultimate goal as Christians is the FINISH THE RACE, no matter how hard or long it is.   It's our own version of the Olympics.



There's quite a bit of athletic imagery in the New Testament (discussed here).

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. (Phillipians 2:15 NLT)

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Phillipians 3:12-14 NLT)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT)

 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5 NLT)

I usually don't give up easily.  At least, in most things.  I think it's my stubbornness, which can really come in hand sometimes.  I don't give up on transforming my house and garden into the image I have in my mind.  I don't like to fail at things due to pride.  But I sure can give up easily in trying to change myself--my unhealthy habits, my judging people, being negative, you name it.  I forgot that I CAN'T change myself, only GOD can.  That's why he left us a Comforter (see John 16) who takes up residence INSIDE of us.  When we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the son God, sent to die for our sins so that we can have eternal life.  That's when we receive the Holy Spirit.  Except then we're expected to act like Him, which is the hardest part.  Again, WE can't do that.  The third person of the Trinity enables us to live a life of godliness. 

Comforter.  Helper.  Spirit of Christ.  Counselor.  Spirit of Grace.  Spirit of Truth.  Spirit of Life.  Oil of Joy.  Spirit of Power.  Spirit of Wisdom.  Spirit of Knowledge.

 

“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.  Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.  But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come.  If I do go away, then I will send him to you." (John 16:5-7 NLT)


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.   In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)