It’s that time of year where The Weather Channel App gets stuck in a rut. A big hot rut. Hot, hotter and hottest. There’s no point in checking the weather. Nothing changes. I know that one of these days, it will get cool again. Until then, I find myself frequenting rivers, lakes, pools and very soon, oceans. I also have a Colorado exit strategy firmly in place.
Even though our San Antonio temps don’t change much, our spiritual temperatures do. Each of us have a true spiritual state, whether we know it or not. If you were to describe your heart attitude toward God in one word, what would you say? Angry? Bitter? Distant? Luke-warm? Close? Special? Growing?
I know summer is a time to chill and take things easy. But, what if this summer was THE summer where you took your spiritual life to the next level? Check out some ways to do this:
Do a spiritual check-up. If you were to write one paragraph about God, what would you say? Maybe you would give your reasoning as to why God is like a distant second cousin. Maybe you would admit how you hate how Christian people don't act Christian. Maybe you would write about your one and only church experience being boring, irrelevant and a bunch of rules. Maybe you would share about the trauma, pain or suffering you’ve experienced in life. You can’t possibly imagine how God would allow such things. I’m so very sorry for your pain and I believe God is too. Yet, God is and will always be good, despite your circumstances or what goes on in world around us.
Open God’s Word for yourself. Many people are scared of the Bible. It’s also easy to pick and choose what we want to believe from the Bible. It’s like no other book on the face of this earth. Yet, we can avoid it like the plague. God’s Word is full of encouragement in this challenging world. God’s Word gives immeasurable hope and meaning to life. God’s Word shows us the reality of our own sinful nature. I dare you to stop avoiding God’s way of communicating to His children. Start with the book of John. Read the whole thing. It's amazing! Maybe try Philippians or Ephesians. Try Psalms, like Psalm 1, 23, 32, 103 and 139. This will get you started!
Seek out a spiritual mentor. It’s hard to keep a fire going when the embers are far apart. But, when you pull the coals close together, the flames return. Spending time with other people who challenge and encourage you in your faith is important. Have you ditched church? Avoided other Christians? Steered clear from small groups? Here’s my challenge: Seek out someone in the faith who is further along in his or her spiritual journey. Initiate a lunch or phone call. Ask them questions about their faith journey, including the challenges. Don’t let your own pride stop you. Also consider joining a small group. It's a great way to get to know others and find support and encouragement in the ups and downs of life.
Take a look in the mirror. What resentments have built up in your heart? Where has bitterness taken over? Whom have you refused to forgive? When does the critical spirit attack? We often don’t realize how our hearts grow cold by the choices we make in our relationships with others. Un-forgiveness is sure to keep the heart cold. Bitterness has the same results. Our relationship with God is reflected in our relationship with others. If we have truly experienced the grace of God, we cannot help but extend that same grace toward others.
Finally, as you take your spiritual temperature, ask those closest in your life to evaluate your spiritual life. Swallow your pride and ask: What are some things you see in my character that need to change? Often, we’re the last ones that notice.
“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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