Excerpted from the July 2006 DCC Update
Sometimes we set our sites and expectations too low. Sometimes we don’t aim high enough, or make our goals challenging enough. This happens in many areas of our life, especially our spiritual life.
I know people at times get discouraged because they see so little change in people. At times this discourages me as well. But I still have hope.
I have hope because I believe that change really is possible. But it doesn’t often happen easily or without effort and intention. This is why my challenge for you today is to raise the bar for yourself. Don’t settle for another month of spiritual stagnation. Make it your goal to grow in faith and character and love. Dramatic change may not happen quickly or immediately, but slow change over a longer period of time is perhaps a more reliable sign of true spiritual growth.
Along with this I challenge you to not just assume that going through the motions of church and Christianity will get you where you want to go. If you want to be and love like Christ, if you want to be and love like the person God created you to be, you must make this your goal.
This does not mean that your goal will be accomplished by your efforts alone. God is the only one who can transform your life into the likeness of his Son. Yet this does mean that you have to have a plan for your spiritual life. This does mean you have to make some goals and decisions as to where you are headed and how you plan to get there. This does mean that you need to find a few others who can walk along side you in your journey of faith who can speak truthfully into your life, helping to keep you accountable to the commitments you make to God and others.
Christianity is not for spectators. I challenge you to start training.
In Christ’s abundant mercy,
Pastor Matt
