5th Gear: Settling into my Groove

5th Gear: Settling into my Groove

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Prior to this Easter season, we were exploring the idea of driving in 5th Gear, not whining the transmission out in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gear. Yes, 4th gear is better, but it is in 5th gear where the “calm, relaxed pace” really kicks in. Remember,

“The 5th gear lowers engine RPMs at highway speeds, reducing noise and wear and tear.”

Don’t we all want to live in 5th gear? We all want to lower our own RPMs and reduce the noise and wear and tear on our lives – on our Body-Mind-Spirit. 

Let’s return to John the Baptist’s response when his disciples told him Jesus’ disciples were “out-baptizing” him. If I am John, this is unsettling to me. It is unsettling – don’t miss this – if I am not settled with and within myself, comfortable and confident and content in who I am with Jesus.

But John is settled, so he responds with this … very settled response:

“A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” – John 3:27
“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30

I see men all around me who are not settled. They just cannot feel good about themselves or their lives. They want more! Even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with striving to better oneself, and to seek the A+ Life to the Full, striving can become a minefield of self-judgment and self-condemnation if it is not grounded in Jesus’ love, as well as his power.

Striving is admirable – straining and stressing are not.

What is the gospel message here? It is this: Just as Paul states so emphatically below, we can strive and push and seek, but if it is in our own power, and if it is for our own self-fulfillment, that formula will not lead to a peaceful, fulfilling, and full life. But when we strive, locking arms with Jesus, well, Paul says it like this:

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me … – Col. 1:29

Paul was a classic Type A striver and climber – I strenuously contend. He, like us, had to learn this secret – with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me – that John the Baptist so eloquently captured above. But he did.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:12-13

And so can you. You, too, can learn to live that precious life of peace and contentment – could there be anything better? – as you continue to strive. But only as you learn to shift into 5th Gear within the harmony of your effort and the Holy Spirit’s power.