Muscle tone and energy are created by doing something. A typical person in training pushes hard, rests, and pushes hard again, going to the max. Pushing hard helps move a person forward in strength development. One might think sitting around all day would conserve energy. But instead of making you ready to go in the evening, sitting around makes you feel more tired, even when you get up to go to bed.
I’ve been reading Jim Cymbala’s book, You Were Made For More, which talks about how this principle works the same for our spiritual lives. It’s why so many Christians seem to lack the fulfillment and strength God wants for them. They haven’t flexed their spiritual muscles. They haven’t lived to the max.
We miss out when we live a “bless me, bless me” sort of life with our goals focused on ourselves. Ironically, our lives become blessed when we begin to step out in faith, in ministry, in work, and in trusting God. As C. S. Lewis said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”
Francis Asbury warned his young ministers, “Though the devil may attack you in a thousand ways and there are problems on every side, you are never happier than when you are in the work of the Lord.”
Our job is to flex our spiritual muscles and allow our faith to grow. There’s a good chance we need to do more to be stretched. Here are five ways to flex our spiritual muscles:
TAKE A LEAP
Have you considered doing something new? Do you sense God calling you to do something? Maybe you are trying to ease into it. Maybe you’re still considering it. Maybe you’ve talked about it for years. Now is the time to act. Jump in fully. Go big. All In. Today.
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Have you been invited to try something, but are unwilling? Would you like to try something new, but can’t seem to break out of your comfort areas? Are you filling your time with things you know about instead of trying the new thing you’re feeling pulled toward? Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t worry about being overwhelmed. When you are unable to do something on your own, you begin to rest in God’s strength.
JOIN WITH SOMEONE
Can you partner with someone? Has someone invited you to join them in a huge endeavor? Accountability is a huge part of living out the faith. As you join with someone in a faith endeavor, the spiritual temperature will rise in your own heart and life. You’ll begin to see God at work and experience the difference that kingdom partnerships can make.
MEET OTHERS’ NEEDS
What really breaks your heart? Meeting the needs of others around you strengthens your spiritual life. Find ways to serve others.
STAY THE COURSE
I’ve often thought about how many people go on mission trips while they are in high school youth groups or college Christian groups, and stop the practice when they get older due to lack of time, funding, invitation, or opportunity. This is one example of going off course. Ask yourself this question: Has there been a time in your life when you were closer to God than you are right now? Your answer may indicate a need to get back on course. Consider signing up for a trip or experience, or getting involved again with a ministry that drew you close to God.
One small step might be to subscribe to the Faithful Friday Podcast and listen to a 5-minute devotion each Friday morning. You can easily search “Faithful Friday” wherever you listen; or visit our website, harvestministryteams.com/friday.
OTHER POSTS…
Three Questions That Bring Clarity To Our Calling
There’s Always Enough Time To Do God’s Will
