Pushing Further

Ray Barbee

READY:

For this is God’s will, your sanctification:”—1 Thessalonians 4:3

SET:

When I got introduced to skateboarding, I was inspired by a buddy getting one for his birthday. I entered a whole new world: finding myself in different backyards, riding ramps, hearing music I'd never heard before, skating all over town, hanging at skate shops watching the videos, and checking out all the magazines. Skating all day, every day, just having fun with my new friends and learning tricks—all motivated by a newfound passion and drive that was giving me the desire to pursue it.

After some time, I started to notice what I was seeing in a new way: staircases, wheelchair ramps, rooftops, handrails, empty pools, fire hydrants, and ditches all became skateable to me.

The skateboarder and the believer have a lot in common. Just like the beginner skateboarder, the believer starts a journey into a new world—a spiritual one. “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.” --Colossians 1:13

As believers, God gives us the Holy Spirit as our source of passion, drive, and desire, along with the ability to love and know God. Through faith, trust, reading the Bible, prayer, making friends with other believers, and being a part of a church community, the believer, like the skater, will also start to see things differently: becoming more aware of the attitudes and behaviors that God wants to lead them to forgive, pursuing honesty, experiencing a new love and compassion for others, hating self-pride, and being excited about God and His many promises, just to name a few. As skateboarders, we fall many times a day. As believers, we also fall many times a day. But just as passion, drive, and desire push us to get back on our boards when we slam, the Holy Spirit empowers us to get back up when we fall short of God's ways and will. For the believer, getting back up is expressed through repentance and asking for forgiveness when the Holy Spirit convicts us.

"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death." —2 Corinthians 7:10

"I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." —Philippians 1:6

GO:

1. Did you notice any change in your attitude and behavior since you became a believer?
2. Are you trusting that God is faithful to do this work in you through repentance?
3. Can you see how important prayer, reading the Bible, and being a part of a church community are for us believers?

WORKOUT:

Ephesians 3:14-20

OVERTIME:

Father, thank You for Your grace and love in our lives. By the power of Your Spirit in us, may we always pursue growing in our relationship with You. Amen

Author Bio:

Ray Barbee is a professional skateboarder and lives in Long Beach, CA with his wife and 2 sons.