By Katie Ginn
This morning, I tried to think of what the Lord had been teaching me lately, so I could write about it on this page. Besides one or two lessons that aren’t for public consumption, I drew a blank. Yikes! Is my spiritual health stagnating?
My physical health certainly might be. I’m typing this on my phone in an orthopedic exam room. The chairs are padded, but I have to be careful not to irritate my back, which I tweaked at a “boot camp” class last week. I’m actually here for a shoulder injury, which also happened at boot camp. At least my right knee is OK. Depends on the day.
OK, God, I get it. I’m not in my 20s anymore!
Now that I’m thinking about unhealth, our baby maple tree in the backyard isn’t doing too well either. We’ve been watering it, but the leaves are all either brown at the edges or turning prematurely orange, a sign of distress.
We’ve had two “fertilizer sticks” lying on our dining table for months. We’ve been too busy to bother with them – but something’s got to give, or that tree is gonna stay puny.
If we want something different for our tree, we’ve got to do something different to care for it.
If I want something different for my muscles and joints, I’ve got to do something different: either go to boot camp consistently, and thus stay aware of my limitations (which I haven’t been doing) – or pick a more forgiving workout.
If I want something different in my walk with Jesus (i.e., more Jesus), I’ve got to do something different, too.
But I have two problems with that last one. Maybe you can relate.
First, I often fret over figuring out exactly what to do, instead of just seeking the Lord. But I’m slowly coming to realize, the point of life is not to “know I’m doing exactly right.” It’s to know Jesus and make Him known. If I fixate on being “right” and not on being like Christ, I turn into a Pharisee quicker than you can throw a stone.
So yes, I need to read scripture and pray. Yes, I need to be still before the Lord and go deeper with my Christian friends. These are all better than, say, constantly checking my texts while avoiding all vulnerability with God and others. There is a clear right and wrong.
But if I don’t succeed in executing it all perfectly, that’s OK! God wants us to be with Him, not analyze Him to death. There’s a reason He promises us spiritual rest (Matthew 11:28).
Not convinced? Think about this: When you really want to get to know someone, yes, you’ll choose a quiet conversation over a movie night. But if you agonize too much over where to have the conversation, what food to serve, or what candle to light, it’ll never happen. The aim is relationship, not perfection.
The second problem with my spiritual growth is that I can tend to forget that the spiritual disciplines – especially reading His Word – actually work. But Isaiah 55:11 assures us that God’s Word will not return void.
If we use those fertilizer sticks, our baby maple might improve. If I quit being stupid at the gym, I’ll probably stop getting injured. If I go to God’s Word with an open heart, I might journey through it for decades before He removes some of my rough, prideful edges – but scripture will accomplish its purpose in me, sooner or later.
So if you need a change in your spiritual life, then yes, do something different. But don’t overthink it. Chances are, if the change you make involves reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, and doing life with other trusted believers with sincerity, you’re on the right track. If you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
Remember, the father comes running the moment he sees the prodigal on the road home (Luke 15). The son tries to say all the right things, but the father interrupts him with kisses. He’s just overjoyed to have his boy back.
I guess I’m more like the older brother who spends all his time working – but the father invites that son into the feast, too. Begs him to come.
If you need more of God, you can have as much of Him as you want. He’s after your heart, not your performance. And He’s setting the table for you.