From the Pastor's Desk

We’d like to take this moment to thank the Argonia pool lifeguards for their willingness and patience as they train our kids (and others) on the vital life skill of swimming!  Something we’ve discovered with our kids is that they think they need to master a new skill on their first attempt.  What is the point of lessons or practice?  They think they should just be able to jump in the pool and swim.  Or, they think that “one day” when they are older, they will magically be able to swim.  They haven’t quite grasped the idea yet that first they need to learn how to hold their breath, or pick up a coin on the bottom of the pool, or push away from the wall, or even the fine art of applying sunscreen! 

 We’ve seen this in other areas of life.  We’ll see them pursue a new skill and will encourage them in that skill, but it is easy to give up when mastery doesn’t come after the first attempt.  Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers states that you need to have had quality practice for 10,000 hours in order to be considered a master at a certain skill.  That breaks down to about 90 minutes a day for 20 years.  No wonder some people are frustrated when they struggle to develop a new skill!  It takes time. 

 Reading statistics like this is encouraging for me in the new skills I’m trying to master, and it brings encouragement in my walk with God.  The bible says this: “And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT.  This verse tells us that the eventual goal is to look like Jesus.  How does this happen?  A little bit at a time.  A few changes here, and a few changes there. 

 Does that encourage you?  I hope it does!  Although the salvation process happens immediately, it still takes a little while to get it worked into our system, doesn’t it?  It’s kind of like drinking coffee; the coffee is immediately in your body, but it takes a while for the caffeine to start having its effect. 

 This week, what is the small thing that God is trying to change in you to help you look more like Him?  Maybe it is removing just one certain word from your vocabulary.  Maybe He wants you to be faithful to call a friend.  Is there a need you need to give to, or a habit you need to lay down?  It could be that God wants to add something to your life, or take something away.  Either of these help you to look more like Him. 

 Remember, God has already decided that He wants you to look like Him!  It’s not going to happen tomorrow.  Give yourself a little patience, and allow God to do a neat work in your life, one day at a time.  “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6. 

 - Eric