Glory Days

    The old Bruce Springsteen song "Glory Days" might seem to only apply to people in their 30's to 50's who look back on their accomplishments in high school or college.  Whether it be sports, relationships, status, or anything, they live in the past.  One of the lines in the song says, "...but time slips away and leaves you with nothing mister but boring stories of glory days."  Now apply this to your walk with God.  Apply this to the Great Commission.  How have you been thinking and talking about these two subjects?  Do you sit around and talk about the "Glory Days?"  Are you living in what God has done for you in the past?  Are you a long time member of a large church, and sit around talking about how hard the struggle was to start and grow the church?  Are you stuck in your walk with God, and your spreading of His gospel? 
    Paul's missionary work is far reaching and extensive.  Many of the places he went had never heard the gospel, and some did not want to hear it.  From Antioch to Rome, he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to far and wide.  Although Paul did not forget those churches he helped establish, he did not remain in his past accomplishments through Christ.  He was always dreaming, he was always moving forward. Anatole France said, "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe."  Paul was a master dreamer.   In Acts chapter 16, Paul has a vision while in Troas of a man in Macedonia (which is across the Aegean Sea) pleading with him to come and help the people of that city.  Of course, he goes to Macedonia and continues to spread the gospel from there. 
    This is not to discount what God has done, this is only a warning to not become like the Church of Laodicea.  Do not be lukewarm, and do not stay in past accomplishments.  Our dreams must be greater than our memories, or we will fade into the past.  While past blessings and accomplishments through Christ give us stronger faith and grow our relationship with Christ, it should not end.  We should never reach a point of contentment.  The Church of Laodicea were lukewarm Christians.  They were content in their relationship and their duties.  If you reach this point, you stop growing.  Not only do you stop growing, but you have a very real danger in actually going backwards in your walk.  Our constant longing to be closer and closer to God is what keeps our mind on Him.  Our focus on the Holy Spirit's guidance and counsel is what keeps our mind on things of heaven and not of earth.  Do not live in the "Glory Days."  Make every day a "Glory Day."

God Bless