In our children’s swim club, many years are spent in what is called the development stage. This is where correct technique is taught and mastered. It is not really about speed at this stage but about learning the right way to swim competitively. Now of course the children would rather go fast and are anxious to compete and win. However, when the focus is put on mastering correct technique to begin with, the result is speed because the correct technique makes one faster in the water by default.
Once the coaches see that skill and technique is mastered, then the focus is shifted to power, endurance and speed. At this point, one joins the competitive stage on training.
You may be wondering how this relates to the Christian walk. I’m reminded of Jesus. How it took him 30 years of preparation for a world changing, life changing, powerful 3 years of active ministry.
Our God is a patient God who values patience, proper training, and right timing.
Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. Galatians 1:16-18
The same model was followed by Paul after his conversion from Christian persecuting Saul to faithful servant of God Paul. He spent 3 years in seclusion, most probably studying the scriptures, praying and receiving instruction from God and direct revelation from Jesus before launching into one of the most powerful ministries that resulted in the writing of 48% of the New Testament.
Have you even been anxious to get into ministry? To launch into the deep and do the mighty works for God like you know you were called to? This is great. Like David said, zeal for the things of God is something to be desired. The caution to this tale is that zeal without knowledge or wisdom often has a terrible end. Yes, working for God is very important, but only if it is done the right way. The Biblical way. And the only way to ensure this is to first spend time and effort building a solid foundation of God’s Word, reading, studying and following the Bible. Practicing the foundations of our faith as laid out in the Bible so that our resulting works will stand the test of fire. Paul likens some works to wood and hay that quickly burn up because they are not solid, while other works he likens to brick that is only made stronger by fire and remains.
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] [shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17
Sometimes, like our children, we may be eager to serve, to go out into the mission field, but if we are not prepared before we go, it is like soldiers going out to battle without their armour. No sword, no shield, no helmet means danger. The well-prepared soldier will survive the perils of war and even win. That is why Paul calls us to put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand your ground and stand on the word of God even when things get challenging, as they will.
We must study to show ourselves approved. Not of men, but of God. The good news is that we have the manual to study: The Bible. When we study and practice the Bible, we are workers approved by God for His service.
Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
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