Spiritual growth (3)
Wednesday 28th November 2018
'Before you were born I set you apart.' Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
When we start criticizing our spiritual progress, we can hinder our spiritual growth. It can be tempting to focus on how far we've got left to go or how we fall short, rather than the progress we've made. It's true that we all have more progress to make in our spiritual lives, but what's also true is that we're loved and accepted by God just as we are right now. The Bible says that we're 'no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household' (Ephesians 2:19 NIV). As members of his household, we belong, regardless of how spiritually mature we are. When we remember who we are, based on God's truth rather than how we feel about ourselves, we'll be able to do what he calls us to do. And we'll be more open to God transforming us and leading us on spiritually. When God told Jeremiah he'd called him as a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah doubted God's calling, and gave many excuses why he wasn't. But God told him: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart' (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV).
Let's not put ourselves down, or think we're not good enough, or place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. We can't, and won't ever, be perfect, so let's not criticize ourselves where we fall short spiritually. Instead, let's focus on how far we've come.
So what now? Celebrate whatever progress you make, however big or small. You're worth it.
Wednesday 28th November 2018
'Before you were born I set you apart.' Jeremiah 1:5 NIV
When we start criticizing our spiritual progress, we can hinder our spiritual growth. It can be tempting to focus on how far we've got left to go or how we fall short, rather than the progress we've made. It's true that we all have more progress to make in our spiritual lives, but what's also true is that we're loved and accepted by God just as we are right now. The Bible says that we're 'no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household' (Ephesians 2:19 NIV). As members of his household, we belong, regardless of how spiritually mature we are. When we remember who we are, based on God's truth rather than how we feel about ourselves, we'll be able to do what he calls us to do. And we'll be more open to God transforming us and leading us on spiritually. When God told Jeremiah he'd called him as a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah doubted God's calling, and gave many excuses why he wasn't. But God told him: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart' (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV).
Let's not put ourselves down, or think we're not good enough, or place unrealistic expectations on ourselves. We can't, and won't ever, be perfect, so let's not criticize ourselves where we fall short spiritually. Instead, let's focus on how far we've come.
So what now? Celebrate whatever progress you make, however big or small. You're worth it.
