Maturing in the Faith/ Growing Spiritually Part 2

What could be holding you back from growing spiritually? As Christians, we all want to. Yet, sometimes we are not quite really to take the next step. Do you feel uncomfortable? Is it hard to follow when you do not know all the answers? Do you like to be in control? Are you skeptical? Are you afraid that you will lose your identity? Will it be too difficult? Will you have to leave the familiar? Will you have to go where you do not want to go? There can be so many questions and thoughts that can plague our minds when it comes to taking a conscious step in our journey with Christ.

When Jesus called His disciples, He called them, and they followed. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, they were fishing. “Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.” (Matthew 4:19-20) They did not hesitate! They went immediately! They started a whole new life without stopping to think.

Is God calling you to a new level of your faith? Did you immediately start pursuing Him? I know for me I tend to hesitate. I ponder. How will this affect my life? What will God have me do? Even when I know that a deeper walk with the Lord will be the most fabulous journey in the world, yet is my commitment solid and entirely sold out to Him? Am I willing to step into the uncomfortable to do the work of the Lord? When Jesus was talking to the multitudes, this is what He said “. . . If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). I want to be willing to take that step in Christ.

Growing in our walk with the Lord will be a daily process. It will take us crying out to the Lord to give us the courage to take the next step of faith. We should pray that we can grow in our desire to “follow Him” without looking back.

When the hard times come, we can remember: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ( I Corinthians 10:13)

The ability to stand comes from God. It does not come from us. No matter how great the trial God gives the strength to stand. So when we think about how hard our struggles are this should be our anthem “ This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalms 91:2)