Wednesday, 7/17/19 – Pressing on…

A full-fledged believer

Have you ever noticed in newscasts how certain terms or phrases seem to crop up at length for a time and then fade away?

I’ve noticed how each of these phrases, for example, have had –or are still having– their day: someone would “do a flip flop,” have “a wardrobe malfunction,” be on “the cutting edge,” claim something “fake news,” or preface their personal veracity with “Let me be clear…”

Check out these recent headlines:

“India-Pakistan flare-up: Could it escalate into full-fledged war?” – Feb 27, 2019 AP News
“Hillary Clinton: ‘we are living through a full-fledged crisis in our democracy’” – Mar. 3, 2019 MSN.com
“Gillibrand in 2020 Democratic race as full-fledged candidate.” – Mar. 17, 2019 AP News
“Muslim Brotherhood claims Mursi’s death was ‘full fledged murder’” – June 17, 2019 Jerusalem Post

Merriam-Webster tells us the term has been in use since the mid 16th century. Originally, and still today, the word describes a bird that has developed sufficient plumage to be able to fly. The process of acquiring these feathers is to “fledge,” and the still-in-the-nest young bird is called a “fledgling.” When the bird actually leaves the nest it is “fully-fledged” – i.e., a full-fledged bird!

Idiomatically we use the word to describe anything that is “completely developed or trained” (Cambridge).

“His memoirs grew into a full-fledged biography.”
“Her sewing hobby eventually became a full-fledged business.”
“After years of study, Dirk is now a full-fledged doctor!”

OK, once again… here is Pastor Andrew’s Sunday text:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:12-14)

My question to you today is NOT “Are you a full-fledged believer?” I believe many of you are!
My question to you is, “Have you left the nest and flown?”

Meditate on the above passage. Pray. Ask God to show you what He wants you to see in it… what He wants you to do because of it.

God at work through you to do “even greater works” may not be so much a matter of faith as a matter of obedience.

Press on…