Preview 4 - "The Day I Stopped Trying"

The chapter we are going to preview today is what I like to call the practical chapter. This one provides specific areas of practice that are conducive to growth. I share them simply because some people need something they can gauge. We like steps, procedures, and plans. We need a place to start. This chapter will provide just that. Remember that grace is an area of life where you can grow. Peter instructed the church to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We cannot leave this to chance.

I wonder how many kids feel pressured to grow. What about flowers? Do you think they feel pressured to grow? Isn’t growth supposed to be natural and normal? Then why is that not true in the church? Why do we approach growth from a standpoint of something that we have to make happen? Why is it that we are never taught to rest in the grace of God and that growth will be the overflow of that relationship?

I have formed my own opinions to answer these questions. I have no plans to share them with you here but rather to let you in on why I stopped trying to grow. That’s right!!! I stopped trying to grow and allowed growth to become the natural process that God designed it to be. I am not saying that I stopped learning. In fact, learning is a part of the natural process. It just means that I realized that growth occurs in the right environment.

Have you ever planted a garden that failed? Put flowers or a plant in a pot only to watch them die? What you discovered is that something wasn’t right. Whether it was a soil issue, lack of sunlight/water, or some other condition – the reason the garden failed or the plant did not grow is because something prevented the growth.

When you and I understand that our heart is the soil, then we can begin the process of ensuring it has everything needed for growth. We will spend less time trying to grow and more time enriching the soil of our heart. This comes through the relationship with God. It’s amazing how much growth can occur naturally simply because of our fellowship with Him.

When my heart is established in the grace of God then growth is as natural as breathing. Establishing my heart comes through things like worship, Bible reading, prayer, meditation, and fellowship with others. I’m no longer forcing things into my life trying to produce growth. I’m simply cultivating the soil, and allowing the Lord to bring the increase.

WORSHIP
Worship is one of the most misunderstood aspects of our faith. It is not a program, it is not a performance, and it is not a prelude to something. Worship is a natural part of life. Singing, dancing, shouting, kneeling, etc. should be normal. Worship is also a way in which we shift our focus. Turning our attention fully to the person and presence of God.

Worship places the Father exactly where He needs to be in our thinking. It also allows us to place ourselves exactly where we need to be. He is enthroned upon our praises, and we are accepted before Him. He is lifted up, and we are able to see ourselves seated in Heavenly places with Him. Worship is not about gaining acceptance. It’s a recognition of our acceptance in the beloved. An opportunity to gather around His presence. Ultimately realizing that we are His temple.

BIBLE READING
In case you haven’t figured it out, I’m not a legalist. I’m not one of those guys who will condemn you for not reading the Bible on a daily basis. However, I would ask this question: Why not?

The Bible is incredibly valuable to our personal growth. It allows us to see the unfolding of the redemption story. It gives us insight into the grace of God that we are experiencing. It reveals to us the struggles of the Early Church, and how they chose to live in the present age. The Scriptures are profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness. To neglect the Bible is to miss out on Truth that has stood the test of time. It also leads to missing out on the person that is revealed within the pages: Jesus – the living Word of God.

The Holy Spirit is committed to bringing to remembrance the things that Jesus has spoken. Much of what Jesus has spoken is found within these pages. Why would we miss out on this? Why would we not commit Scripture to memory? Within the history, poetry, gospels, and letters of this book is a language that the Holy Spirit will often use to communicate with our hearts.

PRAYER
It should go without saying that prayer is one of the most vital connections we have with our Father. It is communion on one of the most intimate levels. Mishandling prayer, viewing it primarily as a means to bring our lists before the Father, causes us to miss out on the beauty of this relationship.

I don’t know too many relationships that thrive when they are one sided. Communication is more than talking. Just ask your spouse. Communication also requires listening. How many of us have taken time to hear from the Lord in prayer, rather than just give Him our lists?

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t share your prayer lists. It doesn’t mean that you cannot ask God for things. In fact, Jesus encourages us to ask with the full understanding that the Father knows the things that we need. However, prayer is also a time of seeking and knocking. A time of going deeper. A time of intimacy. What you don’t want prayer to become is a benchmark of spirituality. Simply allow it to become a time where the Lord can water, fertilize, and bring you into the light.

MEDITATION
This is one of the lost disciplines within the Christian faith. So lost that we don’t even realize we do it. I find that there are a lot of believers who meditate. They just tend to meditate on the wrong things. Consumed with negative thoughts, worries, and self-hatred; the average believer is drowning in emotional turmoil. And much of it is self-inflicted. Imagine what could happen in your heart if you meditated on the goodness of God? Imagine thinking over and over again about your identity in Christ. What if your time in meditation was spent pouring over testimonies of His love and power in your life? Think it would make a difference?

I have more to say about this in the book. Meditation is crucial to establishing your heart and renewing your mind. What the Lord does in our lives, He does inside of us. Give Him this time. You will be amazed at the results.

FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS
Sharing life with other believers is what I like to call the greatest form of discipleship. This is where we learn to do life, love people, forgive, and build up one another. Fellowship is necessary for growth.

Fellowship comes to us from the Greek word Koinonia. It describes the shared life, joint participation, and communion of the Early Church. This is what is described in the book of Acts and the culture that was created among the new believers. Here they had all things in common. They recognized the necessity of this community. They would grow together. They would learn what it means to live in honor. They would discover the very life of Jesus among them.

Fellowship is more than a potluck meal. It’s more than just hanging out. Fellowship (koinonia) is the heartbeat of family. While there is much to be said about fellowship with others, I would simply encourage you to find community with other believers. Spend time with those who are growing in their understanding of the Lord. So much can be lost in isolation, and yet so much to be gained from being a part of the family.

IN CLOSING
All of these areas that I’ve mentioned are simply vehicles for the grace of God to do amazing things in your life. You will grow. You will increase in your knowledge of God. But most importantly, you will experience Him.

You were created for relationship. These are all areas where that relationship can be enhanced. They are not hoops to be jumped through. View them as places of rest in the journey. Moments where you get to discover His strength, power, and love.

Enjoy.