5th Gear: Change is Good

Change is Good

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

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

Don’t we all want to live in 5 th gear? Don’t you want to lower your own RPMs, as well as reduce the noise and wear and tear on your life – on your Body-Mind-Spirit? Think about that for a moment.

Do you want this …enough to make some changes?

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 – because I am not settled with and within myself, and likely not with and within my relationship with Jesus.

But John is absolutely 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)

John is saying he is perfectly comfortable with the role his Heavenly Father has mapped out for him. He feels no need to outperform Jesus, or anyone else for that matter.

Now, it’s important to state that there is nothing wrong, and a lot right, with seeking and striving to improve ourselves, and our lot in life. But the apostle Paul, the ultimate striver and Type A personality, learned that his effort alone, in his power alone, always striving towards his goals alone, did not lead to the Life Jesus wants for him.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Cor. 15:10 Bold added)

“I worked harder, yet not I.” Here is the huge leap for Paul, the driven, striver, Paul tells us he used to be: Faultless!

…   though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;  as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. (Phil. 3:4-7)

May you learn to live and move and have your being in 5 th Gear, always giving it your A+ absolute best, but realizing this incredibly freeing truth,

“…yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”