Evolve
Isaiah 53:10-11 (NLT)—
‘Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied.’
To evolve is to develop gradually. Spiritual growth happens over time and, dependent on circumstances, is sometimes easy, sometimes hard.
Are we growing in the right direction? Yes, it's important for us as Christians to grow but in what aspects are we growing and what value do they add? How do we get ourselves in the right mindset to stay on the course of healthy development as disciples?
It can be hard work; it can get ugly and messy at times. There are highs and lows, days of extreme motivation and then days of severe lack of motivation: days when there is no motivation at all and no energy. Sometimes we are overwhelmed. We want to push forward but we feel we don't have the strength to.
We can reduce these negative times by focusing on the outcome. if we intentionally imagine the joy and satisfaction that will come when what we are doing in Jesus' name is accomplished, that will give us the drive to keep going. Positive change and growth in following Jesus not only affect you but those around you. Who is going to benefit from the fruits of your labour and your persistence and faithfulness? Your family? Your friends? Work colleagues? Your church? Without doubt, someone will!
Friends, let's call on the name of Jesus who is our strength; let him be our motivation to change and to grow more like him. The struggle? He gets it, he knows, he’s been through it and is going through it with you, now.
For one of his books, Eugene H. Peterson chose the title A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.
Spiritual growth takes time, persistence and obedience.
Reflection: What are my goals under God for this season?
Focus on the outcome to stay in the process even under pressure.