Building Momentum

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” – 1 Corinthians 9:24.

Momentum is an amazing thing, built over time by the constant movement of activities, events and initiatives to create something extraordinary. For those of us who are followers of Jesus, sustaining momentum can be a powerful force for growing a vibrant, healthy spiritual life. 

“Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43:19 MSG) Buried right in the middle of Isaiah 43 God gives His people the promise of momentum.  

Momentum is the impetus we need to ignite our life, work, ministry, and our relationship with God. But as valuable as momentum can be, the lack of momentum, or being passive leads to problems.  Being passive is when we are “stuck” in the same place for a very long time. We wish things would change, but we are reluctant to do what is necessary to effect that change. The law of inertia teaches us that once an object has stopped moving, it won’t start moving until force is applied. We may need to take drastic action in order to move on in our spiritual life. I have often heard people say, “I am waiting for God to do His work in my life.” That’s fine, but we also need to consider whether God is waiting on us to do something.

To build momentum, step out in faith. God has already been where He is asking you to go and prepared every step of the way for you. You don’t have to be afraid of the unknown. It is unknown only to you. God is well aware of where you are and of every step He is asking you to take. He may be asking you to get rid of old memories, eliminate destructive habits, or mend broken relationships. He is waiting for you to take one step. Remember the story of Elisha and the huge step he took by killing his oxen. This was basically Elisha stepping out and saying, “there is no back up plan here.” By choosing this path, Elisha was forfeiting his very good and secure life for a lot of unknown variables, but it created a momentum that lasted the rest of his ministry.

The safe life is not that safe. Living a safe life will prevent you from experiencing all that God has planned for you.  I believe that we will never get to where we want to be without boldly stepping out in faith and creating momentum by doing the things that God calls us to.

Discussion Questions:

1. Where is God working? How can you build on His momentum?   
2. What one thing is keeping you from stepping out in faith? Are you willing to surrender that one thing to God right now?