|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Challenge - Week Six This week we want to pause and reflect on how well we are doing in our spiritual Challenge. The thing to remember about spiritual growth is this: it’s slow! Most of the time at least! Often it’s so slow that you can’t even see it. It’s like watching an analog clock and expecting to see the hour had move – very slow indeed! However if we are really committed to Christ then we know that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives to bring about growth and fruit even when we don’t see it. Paul
says this in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (I’m quoting from the RSV since it
really captures the Greek nicely at this point), And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being
changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this
comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. “One degree to another.” Why you can hardly see a degree, much less notice the difference in your life if you are walking one degree off of a line. However, think about what a difference one little degree makes over the long run. If you walk long enough believe me it’ll make a big difference. Imagine that you get on a plane in LA that’s bound for Tokyo, Japan. And suppose that the pilots make a very small error in navigation, they are just one degree off course. Where do you think you’d end up? I don’t know, but I do know that you wouldn’t be very near Japan!! So even if you’ve only changed one degree in the last several months, just think about the huge difference that’ll make in your life in the years to come! So whatever you do, don’t let small advances discourage you. It’s always too soon to quit on God! Let’s take a survey and see how well we are doing right now in our spiritual life. Below is a list of several important areas in all our lives. Rate yourself in each area from one – meaning you’ve almost totally shut Christ out of that part of your life, to a five, meaning you believe Christ is Lord of that particular area.
Now think back to the beginning of the year? See any progress in any of these areas? I hope so! You really ought to write down your ratings for these areas, and later in the Challenge we’ll revisit them and see how we’re growing! Till next week God bless you and keep focused of Christ!
|
|
|
