The gist of what I said is that I felt my Christian walk was much stronger, deeper, more mature when I was in high school/college. As I struggle with the things of adulthood (aging, teenage children, bills, household chores, shall I continue?) I'm afraid that I lost some of the zeal and fire of my youth. I know that it doesn't have to be this way, others have modeled a lifetime of passion in service to the God of Creation. So, what's my problem?
I bet I resemble too many Christian moms in this. We try to do the best job we can taking care of our families that we often put ourselves last, not just physically, but also emotionally and, more importantly, spiritually.
In the part few years I've become convinced that I need to take better care of myself physically and I have made some changes to do so, but until tonight I truly didn't realize that my spiritual growth had stagnated and needed some special attention, too.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't walk away from faith, I served in church, I loved God, I worshiped, I prayed...all the things I was supposed to do, but I truly don't think I've progressed much past the place I was some, er, 15 years ago.
I think it's time. What about you? Has it been a while since you've experienced some growth in your Christian walk? What are some of the barriers that have kept you from growing? If you've "been here, done this" how have you worked to overcome the barriers to growth? I'm listening.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2
First off: did you see me waving at you from the window of the airport last night? Ominous clouds, lightning, some showers...that's what I saw of your town!
ReplyDeleteNow...as to your thought-provoking questions, if I do not stay on top of being sure that GOOD stuff is going in my mind, I drift. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, sums up my life. THANK GOD that me belonging to Him is not dependent on my grip on Him, but on His grip on me.
And as to how I would quantify spiritual growth? Well, I'll leave that up to the One who made me, who will give me a True assessment some day. I think there is a danger for me in comparing myself to others, or even myself to myself 15 years ago.
If you miss the passion for the Lord that you once had (and I can certainly relate to that one!), then, just go back, ask for forgiveness for any responsibility you bear in that, and be welcomed back into your Father's embrace, because He's crazy about you, and has so much good stuff to share with you as you open yourself up to walking a little more closely to Him.
Please do not listen to feelings of self-condemnation: who would want you to stay stuck in that? (the enemy!) Receive forgiveness, and move along.
Here's what I do when I'm doing what I know I should: I ask the Holy Spirit to open my mind, I read the Word, and then I pour out my concerns, and ask for guidance.
I think, generally speaking, that we are far more sure of ourselves when we are young. Why, you shoulda seen how smart I used to be! I knew everything! But then real life came: there were bills and relationships with co-workers and chores and the baby and- and- and-
ReplyDeleteWe are hard on ourselves.
Look at you. You deserve your own kindness -- you are, after all, His Daughter, are you not?
:-)
Pearl
Susan, Thank you. I did not see you, sorry! :( Thank you for your thoughts! I really appreciate them.
ReplyDeletePearl, Thank you. I agree we are hard on ourselves. And thank you for the reminder, I am His.
I definitely get what you're saying here, and we are hard on ourselves. I think when God asks us to rest, it's not to cease everything, but to fall into Him. It's like He's the electrical socket and we are the plug. The electricity (rest) is there, but plugging in and resting in knowing who He says we are, not what we say to ourselves. Good post.
ReplyDelete