PROGRESS THROUGH PRACTICE In 1 Timothy 4:15 (AMP), we read: Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.” Genuine spiritual growth always results in some type of progress being made. A healthy tree will grow and produce fruit…not just more leaves. Our time with God, our time in His Word, our involvement at church or in a Life Group, should always result in moving closer to our ultimate goal…to be like Jesus. Sometimes we think we’re making progress when we’re really not. How do we know if we’re truly growing? Paul tells Timothy that true progress will be “evident to everybody.” You know that you’re really allowing God to work in your life when the people in your life take notice. Think you’ve developed in patience? Ask your wife. Think you’re growing in love? Ask your children. Think you’ve become more dependable? Ask your co-workers. Their responses can be a humbling wake up call to where we’re really at in our personal development. So how does change take place to the extent that people notice? Paul tells Timothy to “practice.” Practice change. Practice until what was once difficult and cumbersome becomes second nature. Practice responding to insults with love. Practice controlling yourself with patience instead of others with anger. Practice turning to God’s Word in every circumstance. Practice, practice, practice. And if you slip up, mess up, or fall down…keep practicing. Eventually the change you’ve been working on will become evident to all.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:07:56 +0000
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