Yet again I am reevaluating my life before God. How do I fare? Have I grown? Have I truly made progress in my spiritual life? These are important questions that we need to ask from time to time. We need to check our spiritual barometer. So what do you think should be the criteria that we use to evaluate our spiritual vitality?
Some people would use daily devotion and quiet time, others would use prayer time with the Lord, and maybe others still would use their involvement in ministry and service for the Lord. Much as I want to think they are all right but the gnawing feeling is that only few could prove that their spiritual vitality is due in large part to such spiritual exercise if taken in isolation. What I mean is that there are people who “boost” of their unequivocal devotional and quiet time each day but shows no sign of healthy spirituality in everyday theology – self-doubt, dissatisfaction, anger issue, fear of losing, hoarders, selfishness, and other attitudes that are not so spiritual. And they have absolutely no clue about it – not even an iota!
I have also seen people going from one prayer meeting to another, “boost” of their many hours of prayer for people, nation, and the spiritual visions that they see frequently but are so spiritually immature when they actually open their mouth. There are many who have spent a lot of time in the prayer room but no firm knowledge of God and His Word. And of course, many serve in the ministry thinking they are trying to fulfill their Christian duty. Serving is no indicator of spiritual vitality either.
I still firmly believe that we need to come to a clear understanding of who God is and what is required of us through His Word. The knowledge of the Holy One brings understanding – but an understanding of who, yes, but to what? I believe that when we intentionally develop biblical knowledge as revealed through the Written Word we come to know the Living Word. Knowing the Living Word would bring an understanding of the plan and purpose of God for mankind in general and for you in particular. It is in this posture that prayer (worship, intimacy, petition, supplication, and intercession) make sense, have depth, and would be in alignment with God’s perfect and acceptable will. I believe it is in this posture that our devotional life becomes meaningful because through it we receive revelation, exercise faith, and see the working of God in and through our lives. Devotion and quiet time no longer is the yardstick to measure our spiritual vitality or discipline but it is because of our relationship with the Father that comes through knowledge of the Holy One and understanding of His ways, that we develop the desire to spend time alone with Him. Actually set time and place are no longer the issues though it is commendable!
Conversely, this can also be said of those who serve the Lord in ministry. It is not how much time we give in serving or what we do in ministry but who we are (our being) in Him. Out of the relationship with the Father, ministry becomes a privilege – we serve because He first served us by becoming a perfect sacrifice for each of us!
Just saying…
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