OUT OF THE WILDERNESS

(WRITTEN 4/24/11)
Forty days ago we started the Lenten Season, a time of reflection on our relationship with God. As Christian, there should be a desire in us to mature in the faith and grow closer to God. I have found there is no consistent growing but more a stop-grow, stop-grow pattern to maturing in Christ. The Christian life is not a sprint race but a marathon where you must pace yourself to finish this life on earth well. In my forty days, I felt at some moments very close to God and then moments I could not feel God at all. When I feel God's presence I grow.

When I do not feel God's presence I grow also but in a different way. In the dry times of the wilderness, I had to cling ever tighter to my belief in God and His love and caring for me and in this, my faith grew stronger. In the times of being in the grace of God my resolve to serve and love Him grew and my desire to be in the study of the Holy Bible burned within me.

My point is I do not want Christians to think that they are going to be in a euphoric spiritual state of being constantly while on this fallen earth. This belief would lead one to think something is wrong with their faith the minute they felt a missing of the feeling of bliss. But you can help yourself be in the "spirit" more often by a few simple practices. These are time tested tried and true starting with daily prayer and taking time to read daily in the Holy Bible even if it is one verse to ponder. Then I have found fellowship with other believers is encouraging and strengthening. Hopefully, you are attending a strong Christ-centered church to worship Almighty God. There you have it, four simple practices to help you stay in the joy of the Lord.

1. Prayer
2 Reading the Holy Bible
3. Fellowship with other Saints
4. Worship in church.

May our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ walk with you in and out of the wilderness of life.

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