Before I unveil the three essentials to spiritual growth I have to make a couple of observations.
Spiritual growth takes time it is like a long stroll, not a sprint. Like anything that takes time, growing spiritually will have its setbacks, it will have both success and frustrations. One author termed spiritual growth 'a long walk in the same direction.' Don't rush it, don't feel pressure to perform, and most importantly don't give up.
Spiritual growth looks different for everyone. Much of spiritual growth is dealing with the interior life; our motives, thoughts and desires. We will each grow at different rates and through different life events. The key is to never compare yourself with others. Comparison is a deathblow to spiritual growth. Enjoy where God is taking you and celebrate how others are growing.
Spiritual growth is subtle. There are times when you think nothing is happening in your life, in fact at times you will think you are failing miserably. It is during these times, the difficult, painful and frustrating times that we are growing the most. Walk on, hand in hand with Jesus and through the anger, tears and frustration you will get to the other side, look back and discover a new you, stronger and more courageous, more in tune with your Creator.
Spiritual growth is what we were created for. No matter where your life is right now, God wants to know you and through a relationship with Jesus Christ we can know God, we can see who God is. The main thing we find out is life is entirely better with God than without God.
The three things
1. Reading and Reflecting on Scripture: The Bible is the clearest description of God we have. I know it can be confusing it was written for another culture, however it is our Holy book and if you want to know God you have to read the Bible. Youversion.com is a free app and has several translations and reading plans. If you are just starting out with Bible reading, try a plan that takes you through the New Testament and the Psalms in one year. If you have been around the Bible a while try reading through the Bible in a year in a version you have not read before. Each day note questions that come up, interesting things you discover or things you might want to apply to your life. If you learn by listening, many of the translations have audio versions, listening is considered reading (remember no legalism!).
2. Commit to being a member of a local Church: I know churches can be messy, they are imperfect, however being linked with other believers is essential to our spiritual life. The Old Testament dealt wit the people of God, much of the New Testament is letters to churches, the Bible places a huge importance on being part of the 'body of Christ.' Tom Rainer wrote a great little book: I am a Church Member which talks about the importance of being a positive, supportive and contributing member of a local Church. I have seen people who are Christians but don't like church and they are missing out on so much in the Christian life. Chrisitianity is not meant to be practiced alone.
3. Pray: Prayer is simply communication with God. If we do not communicate with somone we will quickly loose touch with them and misunderstand them. Prayer does not have to be complicated in fact the simplier the better. Written prayers count, rambling prayers count, prayers while driving to work count, prayers of desperation count, prayers of silence count. I have a couple of prayers that were written by old dead guys that are very meaningful to me. I pray these each morning, I also like to pray the Psalms which are the Churches prayer book.
Three simple, non-glamerous things everyone can do who wants to grow spiritually. Simple, but not easy. Then again no one ever said spiritual growth would be easy and nothing worthwhile is ever easy...it is however worth it. What are you spiritual growth plans for 2015?
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