“Moses recorded their starting places according to their journeys by the command of the Lord, and these are their journeys according to their starting place.” (Numbers 33:2 NASB)
Our life cannot be described as just “Start to Finish.” It is better described as a series of successive starting places. As a matter of fact, every day, including today, can be viewed as a new starting place. Your daily new starting place should begin where yesterday’s level of achieved growth ended and it should literally be a point where you progress with new determination to the next level on your sanctification journey. You cannot go backwards. You must not thing about mimicking what behavior scientist call regression. To tell the truth, regression is really not possible. Before you disagree, let me explain.
One leadership theory advances the thought that once you have progressed to a certain level of development, as it relates to a task or several tasks, you cannot regress. You have reached a level of capability. You cannot go backward as it pertains to that facet of development. Any behavior that looks like regression, is merely an act of rebellion, the rejection of your need to apply what you have learned continuously, or by realigning one’s conduct to assume an imitation for of life, be like everybody else. Regression is not possible. Put the words of this song in your mind, “I won’t go back no more!” Oh be more forceful with your commitment and say, “I can’t go back no more.”
I didn’t accept that leadership theory I just described at first, really not for several years. But after much thought, I realized it was true. You see, regretfully, when we fail to show progress on our spiritual journey, and instead show what looks like regression, well that’s not the case at all. We are just acting in rebellion ourselves, rejecting the truth planted in us, or we are guilty of realigning our behavior, unconsciously fooled by the “everybody’s else is doing it” thought process; a process that is agitated by our adversary, the devil. And listen, I know that we all sin and we all fall short of the glory of God. I’m aware that we are a work in progress. I’m cognizant that we are always under construction. But listen! On our new starting places, places that come with each new day we are blessed to see, once we have shown spiritual growth in one area, we should keep advancing on our journey, as opposed to making the willful choice to imitate regression or by refusing to stay at some level of status quo. Act on what you know and master what you have the capability of mastering! Then move quickly to master any other area where you know you need more spiritual development. And one more thing, if you need a development coach or a counselor, as you move successively from one starting place to another, just look to the Lord for help! Pull that Bible off your bookshelf or take it out of your Sunday bag! The Lord, He will show you how to make the best of your journey at your new starting place. What I am suggesting with that last comment is don’t you be like the person who goes to some type of company training and returns with a training manual, puts it on the shelf, and never uses it again. Don’t do that! Take advantage of every new starting place you come to on your journey, and you will find spiritual improvement that benefits you and many others.
If you look at the opening verse in the context Numbers 33 in its entirety, you will see what I mean about starting places on your journey. Read it! Meditate on it! Activate in response to it! Enjoy your Friday; your new starting place! Rejoice for the new day has begun! Go and grow my friend! Be blessed!
“…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King