Spiritual Optimization

Optimization is good. I spent the most of last week optimizing a website to make it run as fast as possible. I have a friend who races cars, or at least he likes to think he does. So he strips off all unnecessary weights from his car, switches to a carbon hood, titanium wheels, etc. Cyclists spend hours stripping off every possible gram from their bikes. Why? When unnecessary weights bog you down, it hinders your journey.

These past few days God has been talking to me about optimizing my life. We are here on this earth for one purpose, and all we do should be aimed at achieving that purpose. Here's a few things God has spoken to me about optimizing:

1. Forget what is behind

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead - Phillipians 3:13

The past belongs in the past. Good memories or bad memories, they all go in the great archive of your life, ready to be retrieved when needed. That's what archives are for, for storing things you don't need in the present for easy retrieval when you do need them. Past events help shape who you are now, but holding onto them only bogs you down.

2. Pursue Holiness

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming......But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. - Colossians 3:5-8

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. - Hewbrews 12:1

Sin bogs you down. If I count all the times I've spent repenting at the alter, and fighting temptations, that would make up a big chunk of my life. If I had spent a little more time planning my journey to steer away from potential temptation potholes, I would have a much more efficient journey. When in doubt, don't. If you know you're going to be playing with fire, then don't play.

3. Let the Peace of Christ take over

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17

That verse says it all. The peace of Christ brought about by the His Word in our hearts, is the tailwind that will make the journey seem lighter that it really is.

4. Bring the flesh into submission

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

A well trained and controlled physical body will take the spiritual body further and faster. An untrained, un-submitted physical body will only divert, and slow down.

5. Strip off unnecessary weights

No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. - 2 Timothy 2:4

Time is precious. With the clock ticking on Armageddon, spending time on things with no eternal value not only wastes time, but also has the potential to unsuspectingly slip us into reverse gear.