Spiritual Growth takes a commitment to work. . .

You may be thinking, I have been a believer in Christ for a while now but I don’t really feel any closer to God than when I first made that commitment. You know that growing spiritually is a thing, but maybe you thought it would just happen to you as you become more involved in ‘church stuff’. So you go to church, volunteer in activities that help people, and you may even be in a small group. BUT, you still feel there is more and you want to experience it. This connection with God, in a real and personal way, escapes you.

What most people fail to realize is that this ‘life’ this ‘spiritual life’ actually takes work. Like anything, we cultivate whether a garden or a relationship, it takes effort on our part. This is where most of us suffer in our relationship with Christ. We have a lot of head knowledge about what we should do and how we think we should do it but that is not all there is to faith. God wants us to connect to His heart. And this connection won’t just come to us instantly because we have finally found the right program to follow. It takes discovery into who we are so we can discover who He really is.

Have you tried many types of worship services (and worship music), attended many different Bible studies, and participated in many service projects; only to find them tedious and unfulfilling? AND, the things you are involved in seem to speak to others and connect them to God but don’t seem to work for you. Something’s still missing, something is just not clicking.

It’s okay. We are all wired a little differently. I’m sure you know that. God calls each of us into relationship with Him but He doesn’t say there is a formula or a cookie-cutter way to connect your heart to His. Are you ready, willing to do the work? Is the thirst for God so strong that you are ready to take this relationship you have hidden in the ground and begin to water it so it grows? Truly grows?

Like I said, it will take work. But I promise; it will be rewarding. This ‘work’ will become your natural way of connecting with God. Now, what if there was a true way to help you do the right work. Would you sign up for that? I would. Going in the right direction is important to me. I don’t have time to waste and I am sure you don’t either. Having a path to follow that saves me time and really directs me how to grow my faith is valuable.

Connecting to God just as he created you is the first step. Have you ever taken a personality test? There are specific characteristics that we each have in a number of different combinations that can tell you what kind of spiritual experiences really do work to connect you to God and grow in your relationship with Him. Have you ever tried something new in your prayer time and had an ‘aha’ moment? Imagine having that happen as you incorporate each new activity into your faith life; activities that are designed for your specific personality. Think of it this way, each activity waters your seed of faith a little more; gives it strength; and helps it push through the soil that has been cultivated with the perfect nourishment just for you.

Do you want a taste of one now? Here is what I call a Cultivation Exercise for you to try. Remember, we always want to give God our best so if you are a morning person, follow the morning questions. And, if you are a night person, this is great for reflection of your day. Simply use a journal or notebook to record your answers to these questions:

Morning: What am I grateful for today? How do I see You in my day? When will I need to rely on You most today? What habit/patterns should I be looking for to work on?

Evening: What was I grateful for today? How did I see You in my day? When was I not relying on You today? What habits/patterns do You see that I need to work on?

 

Spiritual growth needs a daily structure. It can only happen from taking time with God. It may also mean getting rid of some old habits and maybe even some old beliefs. Do you have thoughts in your head that say, we have to do it this way for it to be Godly? By assessing your personality, your learning style, your multiple intelligences and even your Spiritual preferences we can replace some old ways of thinking with new practices that really do satisfy your thirst for God and feed your soul as you grow deep in Him.

By developing your Personalized Faith Plan (PFP) you will know exactly what type of activities connect you to God and promote growth. You will also be given activities to incorporate into your spiritual life that will make a real difference in your faith and worship. No more dry unfulfilling spiritual events, but activities designed to grow your relationship with Christ in a manner true to how He has created you.

I know how busy you are. I know that you want to make the most of each moment in your day. So, Wise Woman, you plan. And, Wise Woman, you also know that your day goes much better when you meet with God. And you, Wise Woman, want to overflow into all the other parts of your life in a way that is good and serves others. Only by connecting to God, to His super-abundance, in a way that speaks to your heart will you satisfy that thirst and know Him better.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT) says, Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. I want this for you. I want your life in Christ, your relationship with Him, to be deep and satisfying. God wants that too.