Very few of us do, however, and that’s why we stay stuck in spiritual mediocrity.

By Shawn A. Akers

What if you had the ability and the opportunity to step into the greatest joy and power you have ever known? Well, guess what? You do!

All it takes is a little—or maybe sometimes a lot—of self-examination. What is it that is compromising your relationship with Christ?

Is it pride? Is it arrogance? Is it selfishness? Is it sin? Is it something or some things that you have put before Jesus?

Are you disobedient to God’s Word in any way?

We all know that Jesus loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and we know that he wants us to come unto him, according to James 4:8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

And then there is Proverbs 8:17: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.”

And how about Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.“

Those who diligently seek Him will find Him. I don’t know about you, but I want to find Him and find Him every day. Who doesn’t want to be rewarded by God? I don’t know of any Christ follower who doesn’t want that.

I know, however, this won’t happen if I allow those things I have mentioned above to put a road block between myself and Him.

For me, it could be pride. I don’t want to bury myself in the Bible in prayer right now. I deserve to rest. I’ve feebily made that excuse before.

It could be idol worship. Alabama’s playing. As soon as the game’s over, I’ll read the Bible, and I’ll pray. Guilty (but not condemned).

I don’t want to lay down my sin. It brings me too much pleasure. Can’t deny that.

Those, my friend, are defining moments. As Kevin Costner says in the movie “Tin Cup,” either “you define the moment or the moment defines you.” How many moments in life define you?

I’ve had too many in many in my life to count. Too many regrets. But again, no condemnation because, as Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

What I want now is to define myself as an obedient child of God. When the moment defines you, it can only mean disobedience, even if it’s only delayed. Remember, delayed obedience is disobedience.

As my pastor, Ed Garvin, recently said, we need to stop going to church and start being the church. We need to start showing the world who we belong to and that we will not compromise that ideal. Are you with me?

That’s all about obedience. I pray to God, Lord, whatever you have to do in me to make that happen, please, make it happen. Help me to be obedient to you in everything I do every day. EVERYTHING, and EVERY DAY.”

I know what that means for me. What does that mean for you?

“Now therefore, if you will faithfully obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is Mine” (Exo. 19:5)

Don’t you want to be His special possession?

And remember to do something today to go to a higher level in your kingdom calling. Become a kingdom champion. Today.

Step Out of the Boat is a ministry created by Charisma Media Content Development Editor Shawn A. Akers and dedicated to help Christ followers to become spiritual champions and come to a more intimate relationship with Jesus. With its articles, podcasts and other forms of media, Step Out of the Boat encourages Christ followers to daily reach to a higher level in their calling. Shawn is a 35-year veteran sportswriter, a published poet and he published a story about Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR Chicken Soup for the Soul. You can read his blog here. You can also listen to his podcasts, the Javelin Sports Show, on the Charisma Podcast Network