Christian spiritual discipline comes with challenges. In the practice of these disciplines, we encounter the truest parts of ourselves, however beautiful or ugly they may be, and do it all in the living and loving presence of God.
Disciplines are a means of living a Jesus-like life.
The work of spiritual investment is taking what is not right to the one who can make it right. It’s not about bringing guilt and shame, but about being exposed before him, finding that place perfectly safe and perfectly good. And the comfort of knowing that he will not just smooth our egos or tell us it’s fine when it’s not fine. He sits with our soul and he guides, and he has hard conversations with us, and gives us his power to be healed.
To begin a helpful conversation about being heart-weary, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that a weary heart is real, difficult, and even debilitating. I see you. I know what it feels like. To challenge an already weary heart is a tall order. It can seem like asking too much. Yet, it is what we’re going to lean into in this post. Because it is good for us, and moving through it will lighten the burden we are trying to carry and restore our weary hearts to brightness and vitality.
We live in a western culture in which hustle is holy and progress is prized. But if we have determined that spiritual investment matters to us, then we are challenged in these verses to re-claim our time for good use according to God’s standards of good.
What’s been shaken up in your life? What has you off balance? To what degree? Are you still walking straight? Little wobbly? Clinging to the side rails? Hanging on for dear life? Completely disoriented without knowing which way is up?
It is interesting to me that there was even something for God to learn when he lived as a man, and that he learned it through suffering.
Restore our fortunes, Lord , like watercourses in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along…
In layman’s terms, I think God is telling us here to enjoy our lives, pursuing that which satisfies rather than worrying about or striving for those things which He is already taking care of for us. God desires to give good things to His people, and that includes an abundant, full and satisfying life.
But how do we know if what we are asking really brings honor to Jesus and to the Father? It leads back to relationship.
Welcome back to Roots & Light! I am so pleased you’ve decided to join us for this series on Fear. This is post three of…
