Following Jesus is more than just a one-time profession of faith, it is a lifelong pursuit. Following Jesus is giving up all the world has to offer, selfish desires and a life of sin. It is instead saying “yes” to the heart of a loving Father, the king of kings and Lords of Lords, a God who will never leave or forsake His people. Loving Jesus looks like pursuing Him. It is a heart that desires and yearns to know the One who created you. In the mundane, valleys and mountain tops of life, a believer is to have a heart that seeks spiritual growth.
What is spiritual growth?
Spiritual growth is the pursuit of knowing God deeper. Following Christ is a lifelong commitment. The more you know God and learn about His heart, the greater your love for Him increases and in turn, you desire to be with Him. There are seasons in life where spiritual growth yields lots of fruit. There are other seasons that God seems distant or the desire is lacking. Both seasons, though, produce fruit. During times that might seem spiritually “dry” are often the times that God is working in our hearts the most. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” In these verses, Paul encourages believers to stay committed, faithful and strengthened in Christ as they grow in knowing Him.
How to foster spiritual growth
One of the most effective ways to foster spiritual growth is healthy daily habits. Knowing God requires time, just like in any relationship. Set aside time each day to read the Bible and talk to God. Reading your Bible could be studying and meditating on a verse from scripture, using a Bible study or reading a chapter each day. Along with reading the Bible, prayer is another important spiritual discipline. God wants to hear from His people and prayer is a direct line to Him. It is an opportunity to tell God what is on your heart and intercede on behalf of other people. One way to keep track of prayers is by a journal. Writing prayers down in a journal will allow you to see all the ways God has worked in your life. It is a testament to the goodness of the Lord. Richard J. Foster in his book “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth” says, “Of all spiritual disciplines prayer is the most central because it ushers us into perpetual communion with the Father.”
Other spiritual disciplines include confession, being with community and gratitude. Confessing sins and struggles allows them to be brought into the light. When this happens, others can pray and come alongside you as you fight your battles. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Confession brings healing. Another important spiritual discipline is being consistently in community. A strong community is a group of people who surround one another, pray for each other and stand with one another. Finding community is hard, but humanity was made for it. It requires intentionally building friendships and getting plugged in. Finding community could be within your church, with a discipleship group or ministry. In her book “Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World,” Jennie Allen describes finding community as, “Remember to look for your people in unexpected places. Life stage doesn’t matter. Age doesn’t matter. Find the people who are following after Jesus, and then go with them.” The last spiritual discipline is gratitude. With a thankful heart, one's outlook on life looks different. There are blessings to be found even in the hardest of seasons. Recognizing and thanking God for all that He has done and given reminds us of how good He is, even when it is hard to see. 1 Samuel 12:24 says, “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.”
Pursuing Christ
A believer’s heart longs for the day when they meet Jesus face-to-face. Until then, we strive to know God deeply while here on earth and tell the world about the hope and eternal life that is found in His son Jesus.
