Tag Archives: growing spiritually

by

Making Space

A friend, Janet Asbury, shared at church Sunday that God was convicting her of “making space”. She shared that this phrase is currently being used in our culture to denote the importance of being intentional in our every day lives. Making space for the really important things. In the hustle and bustle of all we fill our lives with – are we setting aside QUALITY time with God, or squeezing in a moment here and there when we “can”? Are we making space for God, our Father, creator of the universe? Is that space a priority or an afterthought?

That certainly convicted me! I just wrote a blog on June 1,2023 entitled “Cut It Out” about the need to cut out things in our lives that crowd out the really important things. (see the link below)

Cut it Out

Yet what Janet shared caused me to think about the difference between cutting something out and making space for something.

I can cut out plants in my garden that I no longer want in that space. I can dig them up and throw them over the bank, or plant them somewhere else. The issue becomes – what do I do with that space? If I just leave that space it will soon be filled again with weeds or another plant I may not want there. I must either mulch that space well so weeds can’t grow or plant a smaller, less invasive species. Otherwise I will soon have an overcrowded garden again. Back to the old same-old same-old!

This is true in our lives. We may cut out things we realize are not productive – but what do with that “space” that we created? If we are not intentional about filling that space, the same behavior and habits will return right back to where they were in our lives. This time they may be harder to root out.

I have a beautiful butterfly weed plant that my father planted. Not only did he love the bright orange color, but he enjoyed watching the butterflies the blooms attracted. Last year it was very small and on closer observation I realized it was overcrowded by a nearby azalea and a groundcover. The azalea is beautiful in the spring, but cutting it back would not harm it and it would create space for the butterfly weed to grow. The ground cover was another story. It was invasive and just taking over.

So – one plant I cut back.

One plant I completely pulled up and threw over the bank.

Did that solve the problem once and for all? NO

I go back frequently and pull up weeds and that old ground cover to make space for the butterfly weed. It is not a “once and for all time” deal. Making space is an ongoing effort if I want to effect lasting change.

The disciple and apostle Peter describes the effort we must make spiritually to possess and maintain the qualities we want as a follower of Jesus. 2 Peter 1:3-8 says

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I will grow spiritually as I intentionally make space for these qualities.

by

Keep the Fire Burning

?????????????????????????

I heard a truck in the driveway and the first thing I did was glance at the wood stove.

Was there wood in the stove or had I let the fire go out?

As is often the case, I had been caught up in my book-making and I had forgotten to tend the fire.

So, before Phil came in I quickly added wood and was sheepishly grinning when he entered the den.

After 38 years, Phil is accustomed to those sheepish grins. 🙂

Yes, I am easily distracted, yet when I am working on art, time literally slips away. I am totally immmersed in the creative process and I need reminders to fulfill my other responsibilites.

We do this spirtually as well. We can get so caught up in “doing” for God that we forget to “tend the fire.” What does it mean to “tend the fire” spiritually?

It means that we are re-stocking our lives with fuel from the Source, in other words making sure that we are receiving fresh spiritual food from God’s Word.

I have been a Christian for over 55 years, yet I can’t survive on old teaching from my past – as good as it was. Anyone who heats with wood will tell you – old wood burns up fast!

I need to allow Holy Spirit to speak to me with fresh insight for the current issues I face today. As I read the Bible, the Living Word, it feeds the flames of the spiritual fire within me.

John the Baptist spoke of this fire in Matthew 3:4-11. First, Matthew describes John’s appearence, unique to say the least.

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

John is referring to Jesus who soon after this came to John to be baptized. The Pharisees and Sadducees were students of the Law, but their fire had gone out. They were not producing “good fruit”, the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

I must be faithful to feed the spiritual fire within me through reading God’s Word, hearing Biblical teaching, and listening to the Holy Spirit within me. Only then will I have something of value to share with my children and grandchildren and other individuals in my life.

Feeding on the Word of God will keep my fire burning!

PS – Last year I had the special priveledge of speaking at the Women’s Retreat “Follow Him 2013”. I was so blessed by the wonderful ladies who came ready to hear God speak as He challenged us in our desire to Follow Him. Those of you who read this blog and live in Jackson County may be interested in attending this year’s retreat – “Serve Him 2014”. I have been invited to speak again and I have been convicted by what the Lord has given me to share. It is something I know God wants me to work on – so I have sensed the “fire burning.” If you would like more information – please contact Kandi Newkirk or Lorraine Arnold at 586-6008. The dates are Friday evening March 14th through Sunday morning March 16th and the location is the Hemlock Hills Gatlinburg Resort, Gatlinburg, Tenn.