Mid-year resolutions? We could be on to something...
Spiritual growth as a spectrum of maturation
The New Year’s Resolution market is a big one. Every December, authors and workout instructors and businesses and grocery stores and everyone else gets on the Resolution bandwagon. It’s actually one of my wife’s favorite times of year because the grocery stores all of a sudden offer more products that are healthier and better for you. Then? Those products slowly fade away.
The gym in January is one of my least favorite places. But only for a couple weeks. That’s all it takes for the rush to be over.
Many of us love goals. We like to have a target to aim at, and we like to make it a desirable target. We know we have areas of life where we need better self-control, need to develop better sleep habits, healthier eating and lifestyle habits and so on. Goals scratch that itch. But, we rarely succeed at them. Why? It’s hard to establish a new habit. And, if we don’t have someone else doing it with us or holding us accountable, we are less likely to accomplish that goal and follow through on our resolution.
Kyle Strobel wrote an article called “The Importance of a Developmental Spirituality” and said:
“A developmental spirituality is a vision of the Christian life that recognizes that Christian growth is always on a spectrum of maturation. This means that we cannot talk about the Christian life in black-and-white realities or talk in reductionistic “on or off” categories. Just as parenting a child to become an adult does not happen in a day, we have to talk about the Christian life as something that develops.”
I read that and thought of these New Year’s Resolutions. I wonder if there is a similar principle at play for, at times, our spiritual stagnation. We have great goals, high and lofty desires, but low follow-through. Not always. But, if I’m honest, more often than I would desire for myself.
Strobel continued:
It is hard to fake, and when people try, it is typically pretty obvious. So, often, folks don’t try. It proves much easier to just talk about spiritual disciplines, or assert ideals of the Christian life at people. Unsurprisingly, this is rarely fruitful.
We can’t fake spiritual growth. We will quickly be found out.
So, what are we to do? How are we to actually develop in our spiritual growth and move forward on this spectrum of maturation?
I think there are a few intentional ways we can grow. And I’ll list those in a moment. But, these can fail just as quickly as our resolutions if we do them alone. Grab a friend or a spouse or a spiritual mentor or mentee and jump in together:
Consistently read through the entirety of the Scriptures
Too often we pick and choose randomly what we read and from day-to-day our reading is wholly disconnected. I get it - and sometimes that is how I read as well. But that isn’t a sustainable rhythm of reading the Scriptures in a way that will deepen and strengthen your faith. The spectrum of maturation means we may begin here, but it is not the end goal.
Whatever reading plan you may decide on, and however long it may take, I want to encourage the deep and long reading of the entirety of Scripture. Take your time. Read well. Seek to understand and apply before moving on.
Cultivate a habitual practice of prayer
“Teach us to pray” was a request of the closest disciples of Jesus. It is what you and I desperately need as well. It’s a learned skill, not a born-with tendency toward. We cultivate this practice and as we do, it becomes a habit. The habit of prayer will transform us into people of gratitude, people of grace, people of God who are becoming holy as He is holy.
Come together in godly community on a regular basis
Church. That’s what I mean here. Go to church. And go regularly. Spend time there, be with the people there, open your heart there. Allow the body of Christ to tear down the walls of pride, fear, awkwardness, isolation and live in this community.
These three are not the only ways to spiritual growth. But these three are essential to spiritual growth. These three practices are vital and without them there will be no real spiritual maturation or fruitful living.
Good stuff! Starting up my neighborhood Bible study again this month after some time off. I thought I needed a break, but I realized quickly, I need them too.