2001:
A Jesus Odyssey 

by Tri Robinson

As a leader, I know that for this kind of reality to take place, it has to first take place in my life and in the lives of the other leaders who are called to lead the way. I feel a little like Paul when he wrote to the Philippians saying, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-14).

I would have to say in all honesty that we have not arrived in obtaining all of this, but I can testify that the year of 2000 has been a remarkable one for us here at the Vineyard. In more than 20 years of full-time ministry, I have never encountered a people who have, as a whole, experienced such tangible growth. It seems to me that our desire for discipleship has really become a natural part of our lives. This past year I have witnessed in our people a new hunger for the Word, and as it has been accompanied with the sovereign work of the Spirit, lives have been authentically changing It's hard to define Christian maturity. Although there are some obvious landmarks, much Christian growth is gradual and hard to evaluate. The fact of the matter is that we will never obtain perfection until we are with Christ Jesus, but as we pursue Him we are constantly in a curve of growth.

To me, it's kind of like developing an athletic skill.  For example, when I first took up skiing I was completely out of my element. I felt awkward and uncoordinated and was tempted to stay with things that made me feel safe and less vulnerable. At least a hundred times I wanted to quit. Time after time I found myself falling and struggling to get myself out of some hole I'd dug as a result of again being out of control. More often than not this happened as a result of me thinking that I was better than I was. At times, I felt out of place and defeated as I observed others gliding effortlessly passed me down the slopes. I thought that I'd never get it right.

At one point I made a decision to take skiing seriously. I committed myself to start some lessons. I read books, I watched the actions of skiers who were more experienced than I was, and I asked lots of questions, even when I thought they might sound a bit stupid. I determined in my heart to invest myself and go through the pains of learning something that was foreign to me.

One day an amazing thing happened: I realized that I was actually having fun and experiencing authentic joy. I realized that skiing was no longer a mechanical process but had become a series of effortless, coordinated movements. I found that I was even enjoying the beauty of the landscape and not just thinking about my inadequate self. People began to comment on my improvement in skiing, and after a while, I started to teach and encourage other beginners. Skiing had become not only natural to me but also a joy.

Christianity is much the same as this experience of learning to ski. It feels awkward and unnatural at first, but after a decision is made to persevere through the intermediate and painful stages, it becomes a lifestyle. With time and practice, Christianity, like skiing, becomes a joyful experience. And just as in learning to ski, there comes a point when anxiety and striving is replaced with peace. 

The question I've always asked myself is how does one evaluate where he or she is on the continuum of an authentic relationship with God? How do we really know when Christianity has become a natural part of our lives? Skiing is one thing, but the Christian life seems to be so much less tangible. 

One process of evaluation I have adapted comes, again, from Paul's letter to the Philippians, where he says: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:4-7).

Breaking down this text, I have come up with seven points of evaluation concerning growth in a natural and authentic Christian life:

1. Do you find yourself rejoicing? Do you find yourself experiencing joy, and are you communicating it to God and others?
   
   
2. Has your character been changing to the point that it now exemplifies gentleness rather than the anger that comes from a mechanical life of striving?
   
   
3. Are you becoming less anxious as a result of being able to trust and turn things over to God more?
   
   
4. Are you finding that you are still trying to negotiate the slippery slopes of life alone, or are you presenting your requests to God believing that as Paul said, "He is near"?
   
   
5. Are you a person of thanksgiving? Are you able to stop concentrating on the immediate circumstances and see the big picture of what God is doing around you?
   
   
6. Do you experience the peace that transcends all understanding that Paul speaks of? A peace that there is no rational understanding for but is present even when there is no reason for it?
   
   
7. And I might add a seventh point: Are you giving away the things that you have learned? Like a skier that begins to teach others the basics, are you doing the same with your faith?

These are the questions we all must be asking ourselves as we enter this new year. These are the questions that will reveal to us how we are progressing as an authentic Christian people. And as we answer them honestly, they will also reveal those areas that we can then submit back to God, asking Him to help us in our journey to become more authentic in our relationship with Him and with others.