January 8, 2021
The focus of many during the first few weeks of the year tends to be on physical health. Many people set health or wellness goals or resolutions for the new year. With all of the medical news of the past year, this may be an even bigger focus for some this year. While it is good to care for your physical well being, your spiritual health is even more important. Just as you would see a doctor for an annual physical, I would suggest a check up to see how you are doing on your walk with Christ.
If you love someone, you talk to them. Communication is a key aspect of relationships. We also need to spend time talking to him. Philippians 4:4-7 reminds us, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Our prayers can be praise, adoration, thanksgiving, confession and/or supplication. In fact, we should make it a point to pray all of those types of prayers. I know I often get so caught up in asking that I forget to be thankful and praise God for who he is and what he has already done. Though I am saved by his grace, I still need to continually confess my sins, which are many! A balanced and full prayer life will help us draw closer to God.
No one likes a one-sided conversation. Many people view prayer as talking to God, but feel like he never talks back. However, we have all of God's word available to us! We must take the time to read his words, pour over them continually and study them. Did you ever receive a love letter? Did you only read it once then throw it away since you already knew what it said? Personally, I view those as something to keep, to cherish, to read over more than once. I remember dissecting an email from someone I liked in high school trying to figure out exactly what he was saying and what he meant. Do we take the time to do that with Scripture? Some people like reading plans that take you through the Bible in a year. These plans can be pretty fast paced, but they do provide some accountability for reading every day. I have used and benefited from such plans in the past. If you need accountability like that or have never read the entire Bible, I would recommend something like that. Last year, and I'd like to continue this year, I have focused on studying more closely. I didn't get through as many verses, but I looked at what I read a bit closer. If you would like to learn more about how to study God's word with more depth, I recommend the book Women of the Word by Jen Wilken. She outlines a simple and effective means of studying Scripture that had been helpful to me.
We also learn and grow in our faith through gathering together with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." We must do everything we can to find ways to meet together and encourage one another with the gospel. It is easier for me to just stay home and watch church online. We can sleep in a little later. stay in our pjs, the baby gets all of his naps on schedule, and we don't have to worry about health and safety. God doesn't call me to a life that is easy. Christian living is communal. I need to stay involved in the lives of others, even if that is difficult. This will be beneficial to me as well as to them. We can mutually edify each other in our walk with Christ. So I will attend church, continue discipleship with others, and study God's word with others that will hold me accountable and encourage my growth.
The main thing I've learned about Christian growth is that I've never "arrived". I arrogantly assumed that I knew all there was to know as a middle and high schooler. I soon discovered, as most do at that age, that I didn't know everything. In fact, my learning and growth had just begun! I like to take some time at the beginning of each year for some self-reflection and evaluation. How am I doing? What did I do well last year? What are areas of sin that I need to work on? I pray and ask the Lord to help me make those changes (and to continue to convict me as well). We must diligently seek God! Matthew 6:33 assures us, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."