Spiritual Transformation Reflection Principles
1. Prayer: I find it refreshing to read Paul’s prayers, always other focused and kingdom focused. Many times in collective prayer I have overlooked the focus of the kingdom and growth of an enlightened heart for prayer requests of the ‘here and now,’ i.e. finding a job, focus in school. If anything, I do not think these are wrong to ask of God, but definitely not something to habitually focus on. Realizing this, I have usually shifted my thoughts in my prayers to open with praise for being able to come to Him, a check in of my emotional state, prayers for the spiritual and physical needs of others and for His strength to help sustain and guide me, ending with praise and thanksgiving once more.
2. Handle with care/Sensitivity of others in speech: It is either you felt you said too much or said too little, in the context of meaning to help others, but somehow missing the point. James gives a description of how the words we use can bring blessing or cursing. I have felt God tugging on my heart to at times take a step back and listen to others before giving advice or ‘prescribing a scripture.’
3. Appealing in Love: This goes along with #2 as instead of the ‘prescribing 2 scriptures and call me in the morning approach,’ to focus on the story and the short and long term needs that might be expressed. Walk with someone in the circle of their pain providing a sense of care with a balance of word and deed.
4. 1 Peter 5:7 “…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” This passage brings me to tears at times because life is full of schedules, deadlines, expectations and just has many rough and difficult spots. I take this as a reminder to bring it to Jesus, not just because I need to, but because He wants it. This also reminds me that is okay to take a ‘silent prayer’ with my eyes closed focusing on imagery that reminds me of Him (except for when driving!).
5. Running the race with endurance. Going along with #4. I enjoy endurance sports, running, cycling and triathlons. In fact, training for events not only takes physical discipline, but also a mental awareness of when to speed up, gearing for terrain and even when to slow down. Slowing down (or walking in a marathon or getting off of your bike on a hill) does not mean your are giving up, it is just being aware of your present state and preventing a total burnout (which can be a major setback in finishing). In a sense of personal spiritual growth and in ministry this parallel has helped me to assess where I am at. It also reminds me to take a step back and make sure that the Holy Spirit is taking the lead instead of pushing a personal proposition on my own terms and strength.
Ministry/Discipleship Principles Reflection
1. Intercessory Prayer: It was joyful to reflect on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 as he prays for God’s people to recognize the blessing and inheritance of their faith and to grow to mature in wisdom and revelation. This has helped me to share an understanding with new believers that prayer is much more than material asking, but on a continuum of transformation of lives by an enlightened heart from God.
2. I got a chance to share with my cousin who considers himself an Agnostic – but has been studying with a JW friend about God, faith and what the scripture says about Jesus. We talked about Colossians 1 and discussed Romans and Hebrews as well as referenced our world today, sharing struggles and hardships. All in all, it ended up being a 4 hour conversation and I could sense that he was open to wanting to believe in something. This course has helped me to share with greater insight and feel more confident and comfortable when doing so.
3. Encouragement through reminder. I think of 2 Peter 1:12-13 when Peter considers it right to ‘stir’ up by way of reminder to practice excellence in serving God. My church is comprised of many ‘20 somethings’ that need plenty of encouragement and support in various areas: school, family, careers, relational, marriage, sexuality, etc. It is okay to ‘stir’ up and encourage through reproof, reminding them that growth in Christian virtue is not in mediocrity.
4. Danger! I think one thing that is a distraction to most of the young folks of this generation is the cultural relativist, build-a-god, feel better influences in educational and media forums. The focus on Jesus gets fragmented and misguided by cultural rhetoric and false teachers who are powerful and charismatic. Reading the scriptures and how these teachers are expected helps greatly in discerning when something just does not seem right. It is important to read scripture and pray for an enlightened heart!
5. I have struggled with understanding the whole ‘elect saved’ vs. the ‘free will saved’ and I think at some point this affected my view of reaching people, especially the ones who did not ‘appear’ to be wanting to grow or mature, but profess. Scripture does give description on how to discern – but does not really give a time frame per say, and at times I have struggled with my codependency on ‘pushing’ for change. For some brothers and sisters in my sphere of influence this has been for a few years now (reminds me of Hebrews, when the writer mentioned some were ‘stuck’ at conversion). I guess what has helped me in this area is that 1) the timeline for growth is not up to me 2) Be obedient and serve, everyone has a story and a need --Just do it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment