Sunday Sojourn...Taking It To The Next Level!

We hear that expression often...'taking it to the next level'...for me it describes the principle that in business you never 'plateau'...you either continue to grow or you're shrinking!

Looking back, life itself is a series of 'taking it to the next level'!

In education, at work, in our hobbies, pasttimes, even in our recreation or playtime...'taking it to the next level' comes into play, doesn't it!

Our faith in God, our religious beliefs, are no different...aren't we constantly searching for Truth? In doing so, aren't we trying to 'take it to the next level'?

Jesus Himself said, Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect...Jesus knew we could never achieve perfection on earth...except for sin, we are like Him in all things, He also tells us! So wasn't He encouraging us 'to take it to the next level'?

Some of my fundamentalist friends use the expression 'backslidden' to define the state of someone who has regressed in their faith walk...who have reverted back to a life of sin and evil doing! Who are shrinking in faith, rather than growing in it...who are not 'taking it to the next level'!

Faith, like material things, must be nurtured if it is to 'grow'!

What is 'Faith'...it is a gift, offered to all of God's creation...it is 'small as a mustard seed' but it can grow into a substantial tree or shrub in which even the bird's of the air may find a place to nest! One thing peculiar about all 'seed' is 'germination time'...often 'waiting' is the part of 'taking it to the next level' that is hard to master...we expect a fully grown tree immediately after planting...but, they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength!!!

I'm ready to 'take it to the next level' here on Active Rain...at 125,000 points, I have laid a foundation, described 'who I am' in great detail, allowed consumers to transparently look into my business world as well as my personal and 'faith' life, learned the fundamentals of blogging and interacting in a social network like Active Rain, and met many great and interesting friends!

So, how do I 'take Active Rain to the next level'?

Well, one thing I've learned is to never hold onto 'preconceived notions'...never to 'prejudice' my future by carrying with me the excess baggage of the past...so that at every instance of 'taking it to the next level' I go in as 'streamlined' and 'unburdened' as possible!

This is also an exciting way to 'take it to the next level'...it takes the routineness out, accentuates the positive, allows for spontaneity and creativeness...after all, If we are to be like Him in all things but sin, we need to learn how to create...and guess what...only He can teach us how!!!

Let us trust Him in this time of preparation to celebrate the 'Easter mysteries' of sacrifice, death, and resurrection! And as I mentioned last week...He reminds us to 'Be Not Afraid'...I am with you always, until the end of the world!!!

Let us, then, be ready joyfully to 'take it to the next level'...with Him!!!