Learning how to live for God is a lifelong pursuit. It is a constant process of adjusting and redirecting our course as we better learn His ways.
Growing in the Lord is on ongoing process, one we’ll never reach the end of, but a worthy lifelong pursuit. Don’t grow weary or discouraged, embrace it and lean into it. There is nothing more fulfilling – or challenging – than pursuing God and His ways!
Growing In The Lord
When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. – 1 Corinthians 13:11
Much as we grow up and become adults, our faith and understanding of God should also mature and develop. There have been very specific times in my past where I have had an ah-ha moment and switched gears because of new understanding that God has given me.
For instance, I remember realizing that my attitude and how I treated people was my responsibility. Coming to this realization completely altered how I allowed myself to respond to situations and other people. It took deliberate self control not to react, but rather carefully choose my response.
All the time prior to that realization and effort to choose a better response was lost. And isn’t that interesting – no amount of wishing I could go back and change things alters that. I believe that’s why there is such beauty and surrender in having a mindset of a lifelong pursuit of growing in the Lord. It’s not so much about the past, but what we choose to do with the future.
The past is good for growing – for examining, adjusting course, and setting a new path. It is not for raking ourselves over the coals or lamenting and wishing we could change. Look back to praise God for bringing you through and then move on. Forgive and forget the bad, the negative, the perceived wrongs done.
All For My Good
It is vital to reframe any and all things in life as for our good. When we keep our eyes set on God we can be certain that He is directing our steps. And He promises to work all things for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purposes.
This doesn’t mean we won’t be hurt by others words or actions. It happens to everyone. But each of these situations and circumstances have a lesson built inside, an opportunity to offer grace and forgiveness. We cannot outgive God and He graces us with His mercy and forgiveness every single day. One way we show our love for Him is to pass this gift along to others, wholeheartedly.
True, we will have moments that challenge us. This too is a part of life. But learn to look from a different perspective, consider how God is using these conflicts and trials for your good. You can be certain He is, if you keep your focus on Him.
Earlier this year I was struggling with severe muscle cramps. No matter how I tried to gently exercise to build strength and stretch to gain flexibility, it seemed to aggravate my cramps. I felt weak so I would try to build strength and yet as I tried to build strength, I’d be overcome with fatigue. It was a vicious cycle that ended in my muscle getting seized up and not being able to walk. And yet all this was for my good as it directed me to take more time to get help and figure out deficiencies that I was dealing with! Health and wellness, yet another lifelong pursuit!
This Too Shall Pass
Thankfully, I’m well on my way to being recovered from the muscle cramps and seizures. True, they still flare up from time to time, but all in all, I’m doing far better than I was at the beginning of this year. Stronger, better rested, and more mindful of what my muscles need to keep me operating well!
And yet as I worked through the trial and error (and even continue to, to a certain degree – putting the lifelong back into lifelong pursuit!), the days seemed so long, the pain and discomfort so prevalent, and the muscles so depleted. But knowing that this too shall pass gave me a new patience and confidence that things wouldn’t be like this forever.
As we walk in God’s ways, I really believe this is a good thing to remember – this too shall pass. The seasons of waiting, extra work, not knowing, finding a healthier balance, etc. Some things can seem so permanent, but that’s not the case. Consider what God is teaching you, pray to have ears to hear and a mind to understand, and surrender completely to what He is doing in your life.
Learn to look at life from a perspective that sees how God is working all things together for good. The trials, disappointments, and hard things will pass. Choose to let them strengthen you, not destroy you. Resilience, endurance, and steadfastness come on the other side of hard times.
A Lifelong Pursuit
Working to have a heart that leans into God’s lead, surrenders all, and expectantly anticipates His blessings is truly the goal. Adjust and redirect course as many times as you need to.
What better way to spend our lives than a lifelong pursuit to grow our relationship with God?!
Until Next Time!
Hope.