AS 2015 comes to an end and I reflect on my Christian walk, I must ask, have I grown spiritually? Christian’s should endeavor to continually grow more like Christ every day throughout their life. Comfort can become a hindrance by way of job, house, church, etc. When this happens we tend to have our priorities aligned incorrectly to what God desires. An understanding that God has planted people around us, to be nurtured daily, through our spiritual walk and we should strive to water these souls with the true, unadulterated gospel of Christ. Although, reality is we tend to intervene with our set of thoughts, agendas, and beliefs or at least some version of the gospel with our earthly morals attached. God provided a spiritual water with the everlasting preservative already added, which is, Jesus Christ death and resurrection. If we attach requirements to the gospel we allow souls placed around us to die of thirst in a drought stricken world as we hold a running fire hose of truth, hope, and love. We do not further the kingdom by adding things to a perfectly completed work. During 2015 God has broadened my understanding in ways that I cannot even pen down on paper as I am still trying to grasp it all. But I will give you a glimpse of some items He has dealt personally with me about.
During the past 6 months God has allowed my heart to be broken as He moved me out of the comfort of a Pastor I love dearly and a youth group that is better than any other in the world (I am biased, maybe) and that I love as much today as I ever have. This type of transition is more painful (and still is) than I could have imagined yet I know in obedience to God I will find direction and peace as His plan was in the works the whole time. I understand through the pain that you cannot move from mountain top to mountain top without passing through a valley. This transition has stretched me in ways I did not even know I needed stretching with regards to my faith, beliefs, and His Word. If you are in a comfort zone and cannot accept people that may not look like what the red brick wall church says I caution you to look to the Bible and Christ example. When the church is likened to a chain and you eliminate the links you do not approve, of instead of including what God approves of, the chain will be shortened and the kingdom of God will not be expanded. The struggle and comforts called life will cause us to impose our thoughts and beliefs on those around us without a Biblical basis to stand on; here in lies the struggle. But we must always remember the keys to spiritual growth lies in questioning every action in light of the Bible and Jesus Christ. So next time you see someone in the church that is saved with maybe long hair, a tee shirt, or holes in the jeans, do not discount their heart or ability to serve within the four red brick walls because remember red brick walls are not the church after all.
Below are two quotes from a Preacher friend of mine to encourage some self-reflection.
“The church is not a place we go but something we are.”
“Have you submitted to Jesus name but not His mission?”
J. Edwards
God Bless You All,
Brett