Wednesday January 12, 2011
Theme: ReThink: "Getting Unstuck"
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Your Grace is Enough - Chris Tomlin, Holding Nothing Back - Jesus Culture, None But Jesus - Hillsong, Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture
Read: Jeremiah 29:12-13; I Corinthians 12:12-13; Matthew 7:24
Think: SMART Goals. Some of you may already know what this acronym stands for. It refers to specific elements of developing smart goals: S-Specific, M-Measurable, A-Attainable, R-Realistic, T-Trackable. Ben spoke this past weekend about “Getting Unstuck” and how part of the solution is to develop a plan for spiritual growth.
I think most of us would agree that drawing closer to God is a good thing. But what’s your plan to do so? Whether you are a committed long time follower of Christ, or you are just exploring the “God Thing”, having a plan can help us move closer to Him.
Sometime ago I read a sermon about the differences between a jellyfish and a dolphin and how God intended us to live the life of a dolphin. You see a dolphin effortlessly leaps over waves, glides through the waters, pursues, flees, and takes hold of the life it has been given. It also lives in community with its dolphin friends. The alternative is to live as a jellyfish, drifting aimlessly to and fro at the whims of the ocean waves. If you are like me, too often I may be more like a jellyfish than a dolphin, and then wonder why I am 300 miles at sea with no land in sight. Developing a plan is to be actively engaged in the pursuit of a goal, and not to rely solely upon fate, luck, or good fortune. Your spiritual plan puts into action how you can draw closer to God. Like a diet or exercise, it won’t come about without work or effort on your part.
Here are some questions to consider as you develop your plan:
- We all have seasons in life where we feel closer, or at times more distant from God. Where are you right now? Where have you been over the past year? Do you feel you are closer or more distant from God?
- Prayer. How is your prayer life? Do you talk to God regularly? I don’t mean the King James kind of prayers, but conversations of the heart. He desperately wants to hear our prayers. When was the last time you sat quietly and came into His presence? (See Jeremiah 29:12-13)
- Fellowship and community. Do you have individuals who can help you grow and mature in your faith? Are you engaged at Church, serving and learning? (See I Corinthians 12:12-13)
- God’s word. How is your bible reading these days? Are you regularly in the Word? Have you committed any verses to memory? (See Matthew 7:24)
A plan can often be overwhelming. We think that we must develop an exhaustive plan, and the mere thought, or sight of it, sends us running to the hills. But sometimes a plan evolves over time, and what may be most important is to just take the first step. I love Pastor Ben’s encouragement to us to “Take Our Next Right Step” – note to self, it does not mean that I can run the last mile of the marathon in my first 10 steps!! Just like I can’t lose 30 pounds in a day. What are your next spiritual steps? What step can you commit to today? What will that look like?
Do: Get specific, and be realistic about your next spiritual steps. Perhaps it is to take a few minutes today and spend time in prayer. Maybe it is to commit to reading a chapter and book of the bible. For others it may mean joining or leading a growth group. Maybe your next step is to forgive someone or ask for forgiveness. Tell someone you trust about the step or steps you are going to take.
Pray: Heavenly Father I desire to draw closer to You today. I praise You and thank You for Your presence, Your unshakeable love and grace. May I move one step closer to You today. May I recognize Your presence in my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.