A Process…
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
~ Gal. 5:22-23 NLT
When we set out on our first RV trip in a rented 2-person Class C, we faced a steep learning curve. We watched countless instructional videos on the ins and outs of every system in the RV - and there were a lot of systems!
However, the best advice we received had to do with the experience itself: Take your time. Don’t rush. Enjoy every part of the process.
We have processes for all sorts of things in our lives.
Every artist has a process to explain how they get from an initial idea, experience or emotion to a representation of that thing in an art form.
Grief is a process with no formulas or timetables; everyone moves through its stages at a different pace.
Actually - almost every part of our daily lives involves some type of process: making meals, completing work, cleaning the house, weeding the garden, loading the dishwasher, even going to sleep. In fact, new processes are constantly being created to replace the old ones that aren’t working anymore!
Our spiritual lives, too, are always in process. We will never fully “arrive” until we see our Savior face to face. But there is joy in the process of giving ourselves to Him.
Consider these spiritual processes:
Bible reading moves us forward in our knowledge of God’s ways and attributes.
Prayer offers time to approach God with our concerns and then sit with Him and listen.
Worship is a beautiful process of recognizing who God is and giving Him the praise He deserves.
Meditation on God's Word helps us stay focused on eternal things.
Celebrating the Sabbath and Christmas and Easter reminds us of all He’s done for us.
It’s certainly possible to go through life ignoring the process of growing spiritually. But why would we want to miss the joy of seeing Him work in our lives?
When we slow down and enjoy the process, we find that God offers to meet us at the intersection of our growing faith and His sure promises.
There is peace in this slowing down. There are new discoveries to be made when we are dedicated to every part of the process.
Reflect on how you’re moving through your spiritual life...
How is your pace?
Are you living in joy?
Slow down and enjoy every part of the process!
For Reflection
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
~ Deut. 6:4-9 NIV
Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship,
for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
~ Psalm 89:15 NLT
How we get there matters…
Today is a GOOD day!!!