The world in which we live is full of the ‘how to do it’, ‘follow my system’ or ‘the proven formula to success’. How is it working for you? I have to be honest….it is not easy for me! 
When Jesus was on the earth and entered His ministry years preaching and teaching, he certainly did not speak in ways that were easy to understand. He would speak in parables and do abstract things that would bring healing, deliverance and even salvation. Since Jesus’ magnificent work on the cross along with his ascent from earth, man has been attempting to give you their teachings (or opinions) such as how to grow the church, the 1, 2, 3 system to salvation, the proven formula to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, etc. History of the church gives concrete evidence of how it has worked for us:)
It all comes down to Jesus and His completed work on the cross. Relationship with Jesus versus being an expert on Him. We can embrace a person’s teaching on Biblical principles and character….yet, it is only one perspective. All teaching and training can be very beneficial and can also be very limited at the same time. Everything we teach or present is a “knowing in part”. We need relationship with God and with people. We are spiritual beings in which we can’t even articulate accurately what we sense or feel as we are limited to the languages we speak and understand.
Facebook changed some things the other day and people were freaking out. Facebook will continue to change, it’s their prerogative. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus doesn’t change, although things constantly change around us, so we should not be reliant on the systems or the formulas of man. Be reliant on Jesus. Even as I write that last statement it seems so lame as it is only words…..I can’t even scribe accurately what I sense or feel….
When I hear Nike’s statement, “Just Do It!”, it gets me all jacked up, while another person, it can break them into hives! We are all uniquely designed and ‘wired’. Retrospectively, being more calculative and conducting more ‘due diligence’ could have saved me a lot of pain, in which I am working on these constraints. On the other hand, there may be some people that may calculate, analysis and practice ‘due diligence’ until the cows come home and never make a decision.
Your formula needs to be customized for you. Then changed and adjusted again. And again. Jesus doesn’t change. God is for you and not against you. As you move forward He will work out the details as you trust Him. It may get uncomfortable, scary and even uncertain…..yet, you can do this! With God all things are possible!
In Celebration,
Brian Olynick