Do I Want to Go Out into the Big Waters?
A look at my spiritual life in the past month
My mind is a jumble and although that means lots of thoughts and ideas, it doesn’t help with focus and clarity on writing. So this post is still a jumble of thoughts. But I needed to put them down.
When I began my group, Artists and Writers Grow Through God’s Word, I didn’t know how much I would grow spiritually.
As I read the assigned passages and followed my own SIMPLE Method of Study I pushed myself beyond my former thoughts and ideas. I know I need to work harder at learning more about God’s Word and what His Word means to my life. I had to drop the pretence that I knew a lot — I don’t. I am not sure if I even know a little.
Every week as I study and read other thoughts, and what the others have heard from God, I grow — more and more.
I now know, I know nothing, or very little about God.
Each little verse that we study pushes me further and further away from me and towards God.
I think that is what it is supposed to do.
But in the meantime, Satan doesn’t like what is happening. I know that — and I just have to pray more, to trust more and I have to keep going forth. That is my word for the year “Go forth”.
“You have to get out through the harbour bar into the great deep of God and begin to know for yourself, begin to have spiritual discernment (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, June 8).”
But I don’t want to go… That’s my cry. I like it here in the safe harbour, thank you very much. I am not happy with waves. Actually I hate them. But that’s another story.
I am learning slowly.
I was thrown back — circumstances, and health (nothing serious, just enough to throw me off track). But I called out and He answered. I want to write. I feel as though that is what God is calling me to do.
When I studied 2 Peter 1:8–9 on June 8, with my group using the SIMPLE Method of Bible study, I leaned into the ‘prayer and listen’ part. I heard:
“Janis, Stop striving. I will open doors and hearts by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. You need to learn to rely TOTALLY on Me.
I will inspire you and I will light the fire. Right now you have too much clutter in your mind and around you. Continue to pitch.
When it comes to hearing Me it will be clear — clearer. Be the Beacon that we talked about years ago (I wrote under “Butterfly Beacons”).”
Since becoming a follower of Jesus (2001) I have picked up good habits and bad ones. I need to look carefully at which ones God is asking me to pitch. Of course, there is still physical stuff to pitch too.
All this leads to listening to Him more in prayer.
Studying His Word. And watching all around me for what He will reveal to me.
Where are you in your journey with Christ?
Do you want to learn together?
Join me in discovering more through God’s Word.
