I am a Sci-Fi fan.

Although I’ll admit to taking a day off work to stand in line for eight hours at the premier of Star Wars I: Phantom Menace back in 1999 (Not worth it, by the way. The original Star Wars Trilogy rules!), I do not consider myself a Sci-Fi nut.

Still, I hardly blink an eye watching episodes of Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica. It’d be pretty tough for you to pry the remote out of my hand at that point.  

Science fiction tales are mesmerizing because they transport us to another place in time where the human character, beautiful and flawed, makes it’s way into an imaginary world.

The faith walk is similar to a Sci-Fi tale in some respects. We are human in nature, but spiritual in essence. Our true selves were designed in the heavenly realms, yet our birthright has been stolen by an enemy.

Once reborn in Christ, we become new beings in age-old fleshly frailties.  Our journey to a better world is shrouded in mysterious adventures and hidden dangers. Along the way, sojourning sages offer secrets to living out our true identities as God’s new creations.

There is one feature, however, that is staple Sci-Fi gear which does not exist in faith walking:  Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel.

No FTL Faith Drives

Whatever hyperspace drive is selected, whether it’s Captain Kirk calling for “Warp speed!” or the Battlestar Galactica jumping from Cylons with the FTL drive, we do not have the luxury of microwaving our spiritual growth.

You’d think from reading some headlines today that such a thing actually exists:  Kick Old Habits Out To The Curb in 30 Days, Be The New You in a Week, or how about Achieve Your Dreams By Doing A, B, and C?

Maybe that is why God chose a time-honoring skill like carpentry as his earthly occupation.  God enjoys crafting something of value, working with His hands.

Not only that, God selected a historical time period when farming and agriculture easily became spiritual metaphors in writing His Storyline.

These faith walking metaphors hit me like a ton of bricks, when I recently decided to make some new changes.

I called for a showdown with worryaholism and perfectionism, and ended up facing my spiritual Goliaths.

How could I stand a chance?

In response, God made sure I understood the price of admission to newness:  operating by the law of the harvest.

Law of the Harvest

1.  Change is going to develop — over time. Even at the risk of weariness.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9

2.  I will reap a harvest, regardless of my feeble attempts or slow progress, if I continue to sow.

“This is what the kingdom of God is like.

A man scatters seed on the ground.

Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how…

As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-32

3.  My focus is to plant and water, leaving the growth to God.

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ”  1 Corinthians 3:7

4.  The seeds I sow may be invisible, but the rewards I reap will be plentiful.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6

As we faithfully sow and wait for newness to bear fruit, be careful to avoid reaching for the world’s hyperdrive jump to a “new” you.

The magazine racks may offer us Faster-Than-Light change, but it’s external cosmetics eventually wear out.

In contrast, the Carpenter promises true renewal, personally fashioning inner change that glows from a quality life within, that won’t fade over time.

And that’s no Sci-Fi, but a life giving truth.

“The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ” Galations 6:8

What encourages you to sow, even as you wait?

What changes are you wishing for renewal?

Today's post is Part 2 in a series titled, "What's New With You?", where I explore some new changes
God is pointing me towards.
Be sure to catch Part 1:  Never Too Late To Make Room For New
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