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Some people might be surprised to hear that one of my favorite movies is Top Gun. Jerry and I have watched it so many times I've lost count. For those who may not be familiar with the movie, it is about a group of men who attend Top Gun - the Navy Fighter Weapons School. Tom Cruise plays Maverick who is a good pilot, but he has not learned the disciplines necessary to be the best. When Cougar, the top pilot, has a harrowing experience in his fighter jet and turns in his wings, Maverick (Tom Cruise) gets a chance to go to Top Gun.
When Cougar turns in his wings, he tells his supervisor, "I've lost the edge." What did he mean? Losing the edge can mean several things. It can mean you are no longer sharp - there is a dullness in your life. Have you ever tried to cut a tomato with a dull knife? It is not a pretty sight. The tomato will shoot out in all directions and it will make a mess. If you try to use a dull razor what happens? Either it doesn't do a good job or you can try so hard to make it work you end up cutting yourself.
Losing the edge can mean you no longer have the determination or skills that made you successful in the past. As an insurance professional, I am required to complete a certain amount of continuing education to stay up on the changes to the industry and just to stay sharp about areas I already have expertise. Most occupations require some kind of training regularly to stay up on the latest advances in order to do the best job possible.
Our spiritual life is no different. If we do not stay persistent and on top of things, we can lose our spiritual edge. Hebrews 6:11 says, "Our greatest desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and indurance." (NLT)
We can become dull in our spiritual walk to where we no longer have determination or skills that made us effective. Hebrews 5:11 says, "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen."(NLT) Luke 21:34 says, "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life." Most people reading this probably don't have a problem with carousing and drunkenness, but how many of us can get weighed down and distracted because of the worries and cares of this life?
There are things we can do to eradicate dullness from our spiritual lives. We can stay sharp by spending time in God's Word. But that's not enough. We need to do what the Word says. We can know the Bible forward and backward, but if we are not living according to its principles we are deceiving ourselves. Doing the Word keeps a spiritual freshness to our walk with God. If we are bored, the problem is not on God's part because His plans and purposes for our lives are full of adventure.
Praying is one of the main ways we can stay sharp and alert. As we communicate with our Father, we don't do all the talking. He wants to speak to us. We get fresh words from Him as we spend time with Him. If we are praying and listening to God, there won't be room for spiritual dullness in our lives.
One of the other ways we can stay disciplined in our walk is to have people in our lives we are accountable to. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (NASB) It is vital that we are around people who challenge us to be all God wants us to be. We need to be around others who are able to speak into our lives whether through encouragement or exhortation. God has given us others in the body of Christ to help us rise to a new level if we will let them.
It's time for all of us to evaluate where we are spiritually. Are we sharp and focused and successful? Are we disciplined and obedient to the Word. Are we spending time communing with our Father? Are we allowing others to get close enough to us that they can speak into our lives and hold us accountable? It's time! Let's not lose our edge!