Our spiritual life is the soil out of which everything else grows. Just as a plant needs deep soil to grow, so does the Christian believers. We need deep roots into the Spirit to grow to full maturity and stature. It is a life-changing growth. So, how do we do this? Here are some suggestions I have put into practice and worth sharing.
REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
The enemy will always use people or situations in our lives to divert our attention. Whether it be hurt or pain from broken relationships, materialism, worldly friends, evil living, and speaking, pleasure-seeking, or whatever takes residence in your heart and mind; it will distract you from fulfilling your God-given purpose. Make a clean break from whatever defiles you within and without. We’re meant to focus our lives, not on the gifts, but the Giver. If you have allowed yourself to trust any created thing too much, (money, status, material things, sex, another person), t’s time to confess to God, repent, and declare you want to rely on God alone.
What can you do? Write down your biggest distractions. Look at them. Look at them as God looks at them. Pray, knowing God is bigger than any distractions in your life. When confronted with interruptions, hindrances begin to reorient. Listen to God, trust God, rely on God. Relinquish control. There are only 24 hours in a day, stop trying to cram in every second. I have learned if I am not intentional in allocating my time with the Father, all the external factors of the world will take priority. I can end up with days filled, but with the wrong things. I know you understand what I am saying. Check your calendar and see what you can eliminate until your calendar is reduced and you’re spending quality time on those things that matter for eternity’s sake.
SELF-EXAMINATION
Self-examination makes you look at your behavior and what motivates you. It is necessary for living an authentic Christian life. Confess with humility. Be honest with the things you need to give attention to and change so you can nurture the seeds planted for growth. For a plant to grow it needs to be watered continually.
Listen to that voice whispering in your ear and act on it. 2 Corinthians 13:5 states “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…..” it is our duty to examine ourselves concerning our spiritual state on a regular basis; because Satan is very subtle with his devices. It is a matter in which we can easily be deceived, which is dangerous. You need to know you’re in the faith and whether Christ is in you. It is also a personal cleansing when you examine yourself. Through self-examination and repentance, God has delivered me from powerful temptations and habits that were difficult to overcome. Self-examination allowed me to see my sins and failings and seek God for deliverance and growth.
COMMUNION WITH GOD
Say “yes” to what Jesus is doing, as you examine yourself and study His Word. He gives you His presence, strength, and wisdom in every situation. You will begin to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to you. Do not quench it, receive it and let Him do His work in you. You must stay connected. The Word of God states “the truth shall set” you free, (John 8:31-32) It does indeed. Whatever your struggle is that is keeping you from establishing deep spiritual roots does not have to keep you in bondage. The Spirit wants to live in you and give you the power over those things holding you captive. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). We have to confront our problems with the Word of God. Paul did not confront his flesh with fleshly wisdom or human ability. He used God’s Spiritual weapons, prayer, and the Word of God. Meet with God regularly. Luke 9:23 tells us to deny ourselves and pick up the cross daily. God’s Spirit will begin to pour out in you as water grows the plant, His Spirit will grow your soul. If you long for the touch of the Spirit of God upon your life, give yourself daily to the reading of the WORD. God is passionately committed to having a people for His own possession who live forever for the praise of His glory. Allow God to teach and shape you.
INVEST YOUR LIFE WISELY
Be a servant, not a consumer. We will be held accountable for how we invested our time in the Christian faith. Choose your friends wisely, that they may encourage you in the ways of the Lord. Get involved in a bible study group. God has given us some unique gifts. Learn and use your spiritual gifts to serve others and edify the body of Christ. Making time for Jesus amid all the other things in our lives can be a struggle. It may be hard for us to picture leading a balanced life with Jesus first and all our other priorities second to him, but we need to spend our time on good investments. A good investment is an investment in something that lasts. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 “the time is short” and “this world is passing away.” I learned what is necessary to live life wisely. To get wisdom, I had to listen to instructions and make the choice to choose wisdom. Proverbs 4:4-5 It is not always easy, especially when the world says to “follow your heart.” My heart can easily lead me astray, but God’s wisdom establishes my steps. I asked myself, am I serving with zeal, am I loving others as He taught, am I reaching out in love to a dying world with the Gospel?
For those who have lost your way, take the necessary steps to get back on track. God is waiting for you. What the world needs now, is to see the church, one body, indivisible, living out the Christian faith. They will know us by our love.
