Dave’s Monday Blast – March 27, 2017
Last week we began to look at some practical indicators of spiritual growth. Essentially, is there a simple, effective discipleship path to achieve consistent spiritual growth? Taking a cue from “The Unstuck Group” we introduced the first three of six indicators that allow us to recognize positive movement in our journey toward Christ-likeness.
Here are the first three in review:
- Making consistently better choices.Spiritual growth IS revealed in our choices. This is
- Developing determination.It’s the willingness to press on to doing what’s right when our circumstances aren’t supportive.
- Feeling for others.Jesus felt compassionately moved by the situation of those he encountered.
New for this week:
- Desiring to learn.Growth feeds curiosity, and curiosity feeds growth. Jesus referred to it as a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). That’s what you see when you start to move forward.
- Influencing people. It’s true that a rising tide lifts all the ships.If you want to know whether someone is growing, look at the people around them. There is an undeniable transference of attitude and action when we step out to do something bold. If everyone around is negative and stagnant, it might be time for us to look in the mirror. On the other hand, if the people in our circles are becoming more open to God’s work in their lives and taking steps toward Jesus, we may have something to do with that. Who are YOU influencing?
- Improving relationships.Think for just a minute about several of the people you admire Chances are, they are really good at relationships, knowing how to get along with people from all walks of life. A sign of spiritual maturity is harmony, and harmony may very well be the key factor in improving relationships.
On the flip side, we’re repulsed by the person who always has to prove their point and insists on being right all the time. They isolate people and burn bridges.
As you take time to look critically at your spiritual condition, I hope this short list stirs up some ideas about how you can begin to recognize the spiritual development in yourself and in the people YOU lead.
