Most of us have plans or desires for
our lives. We plan for better health, finances and vacations every year. Some
of us even plan for our passing and thereafter. How about our spiritual growth
plan?
One of the greatest examples in the
Bible is King David. He was never tired of growing in God. He said, “Early will I see you.” He also wrote, “Like a thirsty soul looking for water,
I’ll seek God.” David spent a great amount of his time reflecting on God’s
goodness. He wrote 150 songs asserting God’s goodness to Him. As a King, David
did not have time but he made time
for Him. God was his priority. Is there any wonder that David was one of the
greatest kings of Israel!
Plans
are good to have. Without a vision we perish. Even God has plans for us. “For I know the
plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and
not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:10-11 NLT). When we plan, not only we know
what to do but others can be part of fulfilling our plans. If we don’t have a
plan, we will drift through life never accomplishing anything significant for
God. So how do we develop a spiritual growth plan?
One
of the best ways to grow spiritually is to be conscious of God at all times.
Whatever you focus on will grow. If we make God the center of our lives, we
will find ourselves growing spiritually. I’ve never met a cook who doesn’t
enjoy eating. If you hang around the workout room or the gym, you will start to
exercise. Being around God is not just
for the weekend - it’s a lifestyle. Jesus said, “I will never leave your or forsake you.” Can we do the same for
Him?
A
genuine way to show how much we love God is to grow in the areas that displease
God. Our spiritual growth is like a love affair.
When we love someone, they don’t have to twist our arms to please them. We aim
to please the person we’re in love with. We all have areas we can improve.
Worry, anger, unforgiveness, impatience, negativity, self-ambition, bad habits
and addictions will weigh us down. When we make plans to grow out of these low
life habits, we’re growing spiritually. If
we’re carrying the same baggage we had ten years ago, we’re hindering our own spiritual
growth. We may make it to heaven but we’ll live a beaten down life on
earth. Let’s grow and be free in the areas God is dealing with us now.
Another
way we can grow spiritually is to know and obey His Word.
A relationship is as good as you know the other person. The more we know about
the other person the better we can please and serve him/her. If you want to
know God, you have to study God’s Word. The
Bible contains the thoughts of God. It tells us what God likes and dislikes.
The Bible is God’s love letters to us. We shouldn’t just have head-knowledge
of God but also keep His commands. Not out of necessity but because of our love
for Him. We can do that through our prayers, sacrifice and commitment to please
Him more every day.
A
true measure of spiritual growth is reproduction.
When we go past our “I, me, my” Christianity,
we will engage in reproduction. Every Christian ought to be a witness and be
involved in making disciples. When we lead others in the path of righteousness,
we’re becoming spiritual fathers in the faith. A mature Christian exerts his time, effort and energy to grow God’s
Kingdom – both at home and abroad. When we seek first the Kingdom of God,
He will make sure to give us everything we need. Friend, don’t just set goals
for your finances, family or retirement but also develop a spiritual growth
plan. God wants a better relationship with us. Let’s grow in our love, devotion
and commitment to Him. When we please God with our thoughts, words and actions,
we will draw in God’s favor like nothing else.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
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