Caring for my Spirit

I claim God as my top priority in life, yet if I don't purposefully make time for spiritual matters, it's all too easy to ignore the One to whom I owe my very life. He is the only source of true joy. Daily Bliss is great, but it's not enough to truly bring me the abiding joy my soul craves. Even bigger things that go beyond the daily bliss,such as a vacation or new car, can't fulfill me the way that my Lord Jesus Christ does. There truly is no one like Him. Yet, my relationship with Him isn't automatic. It takes effort and time just like any good relationship does. The challenge here is that the Lord never screams for attention, where other people and circumstances often do. My physical needs , my family, my obligations and appointments, are so obvious, sometimes urgently tugging on my inner resources. I don't deny the importance of any of these, but the problem comes when all these other things end up crowding out my growth in God. That's why I need to make time and effort to pursue intimacy with God and spiritual growth. That's what I call caring for my Spirit, the part of me that communes with my heavenly Father, my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

But what does that look like? I believe the Bible gives us specific things to do if we want to grow in Christ. One is to be part of a Bible believing church and attend and participate consistently. As in showing up each week and truly participating in the service through actively engaging in worship, really listening to the sermon, and looking for opportunities to minister and serve others. It doesn't count if you just are a body warming a pew, but your mind and heart are elsewhere.

I also go to a weekly Bible study, that has daily reading and study questions to do at home. This gets me reading my Bible and interacting with God's Word each day. I also need time away from others, where I get alone with God and worship Him, talk to Him, give Him my requests, and share my heart. But just as important, maybe even more so, I take time to just be quiet, and wait and listen to see whether I sense the Holy Spirit speaking to me. It's not anything weird or spooky. I don't hear an audible voice, but sometimes I get an impression, an image, a sensing, or a leading in a certain direction. Sometimes, I may not sense much of anything, but that's OK too. I know I've spent time in God's presence, and that brings me peace and joy.

I also have decided to set spiritual goals to make sure my walk with God doesn't end up on the back burner. My latest one is reading through the Bible in a year. I've been a Christian since I was 9, but have never read through the whole Bible. I admit, I've begun this project multiple times throughout the years, usually starting in January, along with all those other resolutions, like losing weight, exercising, yada yada yada. But this time I'm not waiting til another year begins. I started today, well past the first month, and half way through the current one. Because the truth is, the starting date isn't important. What matters is sticking with it.

This isn't to say that all my mini joys are meaningless. I still do my daily bliss. God isn't a killjoy. I don't believe for one moment that He wants me to live in drudgery. Yesterday's bliss was going to Caribou with my friend Dawn and enjoying a caramel hot chocolate as we spent time together.

So, how do you keep God first in your life? What things do you do to keep you growing spiritually? I would love to read your thoughts!

Live joyfully in the presence of the Author of joy!