"Momentum dies in our lives when we allow people, circumstances, or our past to author our lives instead of choosing to prayerfully decide our direction".
- Dan Webster, REAL DEAL: Becoming More Authentic in Life and Leadership
Navigating the weeks and months of our lives after a spiritual high or spiritual mountaintop is like trying to make a sharp turn into a straightaway. I am two weeks removed from one of the most meaningful "Christian Conference" experiences of my entire life. The first week back was easy. I applied what I had learned....put new spiritual disciplines into my life and began to revive my time/relationship with God. And then came the turn. Up ahead I could see that the narrow and straight road of "post-spiritual high" interstate was beginning to turn...sharply. And I was presented with a choice. OPTION 1: stay straight and trust the energy from the high to guide me through or...OPTION 2: Lean into the turn and use the knowledge I have to navigate that curve with faith in the ability God has given me to turn a steering wheel (insert "Walt's a bad driver" joke here) and faith in my car to be able to handle it. If I choose OPTION 1 I go offroading into disaster...if I choose OPTION 2, it takes some faith, but I end up heading in the right direction on a solid road and that turn gives me the momentum and confidence to be able to handle the next one.
What's my point? The point is this. If we rely on spiritual highs (retreats, worship services, etc.) to steer us then we end up driving off of the road. Eventually after we get back, we hit that wall of life that zaps of us the emotional high that we felt when we were on the spiritual mountain. I am learning that momentum is created and sustained by drawing from God's power everyday and putting yourself in a position physically, emotionally, and spiritually to be able to hear from God, love God, and have God at the CENTER of your life.
Here are five practical ways to do that:
1. Do things that feed humility
It is hard to focus on your wants and desires when you are focused on others (that's a good thing)
2. Have a non-negotiable time with God EVERYDAY
I have tried to shortcut this for years and have found that there is no substitute for reading God's Word and talking to him
3. Enjoy God by giving yourself positive pleasure outlets
Humans will seek pleasure. If you don't find positive ways to seek it you will seek it in negative/harmful ways
4. Get enough sleep and do some exercise
Easier to hear God and resist temptation when you are energized, healthy, and awake.
5. Pray and ask God to speak to you [and then listen]
Talk to Him...but also be quiet and listen to Him
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
It is very important that we don't let the enemy steal our time & desire to meet daily with God. He's very subtle and cunning and wants nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy. Thank you for the recent reminders- I definitly need it at this hectic time of my life.
Walt,
Thanks for the post. It is really important for each of us on a daily basis to reflect on how selfish we naturally are; how we tend to go our own way. Occasionaly on 'spiritual highs' we may follow in the right direction for a while until it becomes uncomfortable, then we turn off the path back to where we want to go. God has a better plan than we can ever understand, it's better to let Him have control than continuously go our own way, crashing and asking Him to clean it up again.
Post a Comment