FOUR FRONTS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

by John Hay, Jr.

HEALTHY AND GROWING?

Holiness can't be stored up. We can't live off of last year's spiritual breakthrough. Spiritual health is cultivated daily, weekly. Begin again today. Don't run on empty. Too much is at stake in our lives and the lives of those we love--who count on us--to sleepwalk through the Kingdom. Take action today on these Four Fronts of Spiritual Growth.

1. A PRAYER-FILLED LIFE

Let your longing for a deeper, more vital Christian experience begin right here. Confess your heart's desires. Tell God your hopes and hurts. Bring your world into God's presence. Hold nothing back. Then, be still and wait before your Creator, Redeemer, Healer, and King. Contemplate God's provision, receive God's counsel, respond with active faith to God's direction. Now, make this your daily practice.

2. A WORD-CENTERED LIFE

Life is too easily carved up by counterfeits, our passion dissipated in trivia, and our focus scattered in myriad ways. Let the Word focus you. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Is it guiding your path today? Today's challenges need today's Word. Dig in again, by all means. Read solo. Study with a partner. Reflect in a group. Explore in a Sunday School Class or Bible Study. Live what you learn. Share what you glean. Let the Word come alive in and through you.

3. A CHRIST-INCARNATING LIFE

Service is the greatest and simplest way we make Christ known to others and in the world. Apart from service, we atrophy spiritually--not later, but now. Every growing Christian is serving others. Serving may not be easy, convenient, recognized, or personally satisfying, but it is the way we experience Christ in others. Reach out to a new attendee or believer. How and where can you serve others--directly or indirectly--today or this week?

4. A GATHERED-TOGETHER LIFE

Fire lives and shines brightly when singular embers are close together. So do believers. Reuben Welch writes: "We really do need each other." We belong to each other when we belong to Christ. So, draw near. Be where you belong. Engage. There's a place waiting for you at the table. The church won't be the church without you.

APPLY WITHIN

First, commit personally to these four practices. Make a written plan for daily and weekly action on each of these four fronts. Check yourself often. Have someone hold you accountable for each front.

Then, look at WEMO thru these four fronts. Why not print out sections of this website or an edition of Life Together on West Morris Street? Mark prayer opportunities with a "P." Mark Word-centering opportunities with a "W." Mark service opps with an "S." And mark gathering opportunities with a "G." What are your opportunities for prayer, Word-centering, border-crossing service, and gathering? How can we help one another move toward these four practices? Address each of these fronts of spiritual warfare and breakthrough simultaneously. Talk about this in your small group, accountability group, household, or commission, council, or meeting. If you want help or resources for engaging in one or all of these essential fronts of spiritual vitality, please call or e-mail me (johnhayjr@sbcglobal.net).

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