The Wide Gap

I’m feeling a deep conviction this morning.

The Holy Spirit reminds me of an old saying: “Between simple knowledge and mastery is a wide gap.”

Like many believers, I have a wooden cross hanging from the rearview mirror in my car. The James Avery cross my wife gave me hangs around my neck—it’s always visible. And my Fishers of Men bracelet reminds me of my Walk to Emmaus retreat years ago.

When I’m at the gym, I often wear a Christian shirt. One of my favorites says, “Walking by Faith… Tripping Constantly.”

The point is simple: I want the world to know Whom I serve—Jesus Christ.

But here’s the conviction.

If my purpose is to glorify God in all I do, and the way to do that is to keep His commandments, then outward expressions of faith must also convict me inwardly.

Yes, I walk by faith, and yes, I stumble. But I’ll stumble less if I keep His light illuminating the path.

And maybe—just maybe—I’ll cut down on the rumbling, grumbling, and stumbling others see if I stay focused on His will instead of my own.

Most of us can gain simple knowledge of Christianity by attending church. We can deepen that knowledge by reading Scripture. But here’s where the saying begins to fray.

No matter how much we attend church, study Scripture, encourage one another, or serve others, “mastery” remains out of reach if we rely on our own strength. The more we strive to do, the wider the gap can feel.

As ambassadors of Christ, we know that the distance between God and man is bridged only by Jesus. He alone is the Master. We are His followers.

And in that truth, the pressure lifts.

As I sit here, the earlier conviction gives way to peace.

Peace doesn’t come from walking a flawless path.
It comes from walking every step as if Jesus is taking that step with me.

Every encounter…
Every thought…
Every intention…

Each one is an opportunity to shine His light—so that others see Him, not me.

Lord, help me close the gap between simply knowing about You and trusting You so completely that no gap remains at all.

_______

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 (NKJV)