In today’s fast paced world many of us find it hard to remember to brush our teeth, let alone spend time improving our relationship with God. Most times we get to the end of the week promising ourselves, and God, that we will do better next week only to repeat the process again come Monday morning.
So how do we break the cycle? Are we doomed to go through life only hoping to know God more, but never actually growing any closer to Him? Will we continue on an endless pendulum of spiritually high on Sunday and questioning the existence of God on Monday?
Fortunately for us, a healthy spiritual life is not only possible, but very attainable.
Maintaining your Christian walk involves four key activities: time with other Christians, worship, study and service.
Just like our body requires a balance of each food group, Christian maturity has to include a balanced of each faith building activity.
If you are struggling or find yourself getting side-tracked from the things of God it could just be that one or more of these vital areas are out of balance.
A time of Welcome
Time with other Christians is an important part of our walk with God. Other believers encourage us, challenge us to keep going and remind us of the promises God gives us. It is among other believers that we get a hint of what heaven will be like – minus the flaws of our human nature.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
A time of Worship
When we sing and pray to God we take the focus off of ourselves and the problems of this world and put it on the One who holds all the answers. God desires our attention, He wants us to know that every answer is found in Him; we only need to take our eyes off this world and look to Him.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:36
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24
A time of Word
The Bible is God’s inspired word and the cornerstone of faith in Christ. We cannot fully understand the wonders of our faith with out knowing its history, workings and promises, all of which are found in the Bible. God’s word is life changing.
“My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3
A time of Work
It is in our work for the kingdom that we find our true identity – not that of a slave that does mindless work for a cold and unloving God, but that of a son or daughter who finds great pride in working along side their father. When we put our hands to the work of God we build something eternal and it speaks to the very core of our existence – I can make a difference!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:39
