Are you on a treadmill with your walk with God? Are you running, but your backdrop hasn’t changed? Open your heart to His word and He in turn will open His word to your heart! Not too long ago I told a friend that I couldn’t read Hebrews; it’s just too difficult for me to understand. Well friend, guess what I am doing now! I am reading Hebrews and not only that, but I am also understanding the message the author was pouring out to those early Christians. We live in a time of great uncertainty; war, crime, inflation—the pervasiveness of evil, that of which I don’t remember seeing in my lifetime. Does that mean that God has abandoned us? Certainly not! God has called us Christians to be light in the darkness, and I challenge you today—look at how dark the world seems to be. Turn on your light! Shine into the dark void of this world and make a difference in someone’s life.

In order for us to make a difference, we must get off the treadmill. We must move forward. Andrew Murray said, “In commerce, in study, in war…there is no safety but in advance…The only sure mark of our being true Christians of our really loving Christ, is the deep longing and steady effort to know more of Him. Tens of thousands have proved that to be content with beginning well is but the first step on a backward course…The whole point of the argument…is—Let us press on!” You see, it’s not about a fast run on a treadmill, where you stay in the same place. It’s about a gradual climb, up the mountain of God’s word, each step taking you closer to the glory of His summit!

In Hebrews, chapter 6, the author writes, “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward into maturity…”. Psalm 119:32, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all of my heart.” Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  What “things” is Jesus speaking of? Some would use this verse out of context to preach a message of prosperity. But the bible is very clear that as believers, we will have trials. Life will not be easy for those who seek the Lord with all their hearts. Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it has its foundation on the rock.” When the storms come, and they will for all of us, will your foundation hold firm? Have you stepped off your leisurely Christian treadmill? Have you laced up your hiking boots and set your site on the summit of God’s truth?

I know that I am going to see Jesus face to face one day. But in knowing Him and loving Him, I desire to know Him even more! My salvation is not based in my works, how hard I try to please Him. His love does not diminish when I fall down and fail. The darkness of this world cannot blot out the light that His word feeds into my soul. And in turn, I seek for His light to come forth from my life and shine into the world, cutting through the veil of evil and darkness. As I climb forward, learning and growing, pressing onward towards the summit of His righteousness, I am so thankful for how He walks beside me. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress. Step off your treadmill today, lace up your hiking boots and set your gaze upon His summit.