Recently I was visiting a friend at Christ Hospital so I parked in the tower lot. When I returned to the lot I couldn’t find my car. I had forgotten what level I was on. I went up and down looking for my car but I couldn’t find it. After awhile I got the idea to sound my car alarm. This was even more frustrating because I could hear my car but I couldn’t see my car.
What level is your life parked on right now? Do you even know? I have discovered that people live their life at
one of three common levels. In fact, we see these life levels illustrated in the life of a man who lived in bible times. His name was Gideon.
For several long years Gideon lived his life at what I call Level One: Frozen by fear and Stuck. In Judges Chapter six we find him hiding out in a winepress stirring some grain. He’s hiding because he is paralyzed by fear. His enemies have been in the habit of exploiting Gideon and his family. Hiding out in the winepress frozen by fear is a horrible place to be. I’ve been there. It’s very frustrating to be there. You want to go to the next level but you’re stuck. Gideon was able to make it out of his isolation but first he needed an encounter with God. We all need an encounter with God before we can go to our next level. God meets Gideon right where he is. He is deep in despair, discouraged, and somewhat bitter. It’s encouraging that we can’t hide from God. He will always find us. He cares about us. He is especially with us when we are down and out. So Gideon has an encounter with God. God refers to him as a Mighty Warrior. God was calling Gideon to his next level. Level Two: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway. Gideon was still afraid but he stepped out in faith. He obeyed God to tear down his family’s pagan idol worship accessories. Many people are at level two. They are functioning. They are not paralyzed by fear. Nevertheless, they are still operating more under fear than they are under faith. I believe where God wants his people to live at is what I call Level Three: Turn Your Fear into Faith and Become a Conqueror. After Gideon takes a stand by tearing down the symbols of idolatry, God calls him to the next level of conqueror. We now see Gideon taking on thousands of his military enemy with only a remnant of his own army. When the battle is the Lord’s the victory is ours. Gideon reaches Level Three. He turns his fear into faith and becomes a Conqueror.
What level are you at today? Do you even know? Are you ready to ask God to Take Your Life To The Next Level?
Peace Out,
PAL
