Thursday, January 17, 2008
SEVEN SECRETS to SPIRITUAL SUCCESS
I read a book, SEVEN SECRETS TO SPIRITUAL SUCCESS by Woodrow Michael Kroll. He provides a formula to gaining a fulfilled life according to Christ's will. As I am sure, most of us know following the will of God is not the easiest thing to do. Our will seems to be more of a priority. I, too, want to be spiritually successful and believe these points help me do so. Even when self-will rules. Anyway, I am providing the Seven Secrets believing other want the same. In order to conserve space I have become restrained in the narrative. I ask that you use your God given brain to interpret the comments after each point. I am sure you will realize the 'secrets to spiritual success' are not really secrets at all. Form your own means on how to interpret the vignette of a particular 'secret'.1. Accept the limitations of human efforts and plans.
While God gave us brains to think with, sometimes we don’t have enough cleverness on our own to do the job. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor 4: 6,7 (NIV)
2. Trust the word of Jesus even if it doesn’t make sense.
When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Peter, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Luke 5: 4 How do you think the fisherman felt, you know, Peter, James, and John? What would they feel taking advice from a carpenter turned preacher? What did he know about fishing. Didn’t they know fishing? After all, it was their business.
3. Be willing to take risks.
Think of how a bird must feel the first time its pushed from the nest by its mother. The feeling must begin with fear, but as the bird stretches its wings and soars, it becomes exhilaration. Risk is a part of all achievement. A risk-free life is terribly dull. Hmmm? A leap of faith?
4. Persevere even through disappointment and fatigue.
I used to ride my bicycle extensively. I would enter weekend marathons and fund-raisers just to ride my bike 50, 75, 100 miles in a day. There’s a sensation you get called a “runner’s high” named after the experience marathon runners encountered. In all sports it only comes after an athlete has pushed past his fatigue and kept on going when every cell in the body is yelling to STOP. For me it would come at about the twenty mile and 60 mile point on rides. The feeling of exhaustion gives in to a wonderful feeling of euphoria. It only happens, however, if we are willing to keep on going when we feel like quitting. Spiritual perserverance?
5. Remember the importance of team work.
Two men riding a bicycle built for two came to a long, steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very stiff climb. When they got to the top, the one in front turned to the other and said, “Boy, that sure was a hard climb.” The fellow in back replied, “Yes, and if I hadn’t kept the brakes on all the way, we would certainly have rolled down backwards.” Work with not against each other in all things.
6. Remember, God can give us more than we ask or imagine.
Jesus offers life wherever he goes:
-- water becomes wine at a wedding in Cana;
-- a little boy receives life at the point of death;
-- a man, once lame, “takes up” his “mat and” walks;
-- stormy waters of the sea set the stage for a midnight stroll;
-- a blind man sees;
-- and, Lazarus, bandages and all, comes out of his tomb.
7. Be humble in your success.
Nikita Khrushchev and President Kennedy were having a vigorous exchange of strong opinions. Finally, Kennedy asked Khrushchev, “Do you ever admit a mistake?” The Soviet Premier responded, “Certainly I do. In a speech before the Twentieth Party Congress, I admitted all of Stalin’s mistakes.” I had a T-shirt that said, "When you're as great as I am, its hard to be humble." Hmmmm?
I have always been a risk taker and not so often humble. My struggle is to live the life Christ desires for me and not what I want for myself. I am a Romans 7 pastor. I wish I was not. Victory over stuggles develops perserverance. And, as the following scripture states, I desire to increase my spiritual maturity and be complete in my relationship with others but especially with God.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:4,5 (NIV)
3. Be willing to take risks.
Think of how a bird must feel the first time its pushed from the nest by its mother. The feeling must begin with fear, but as the bird stretches its wings and soars, it becomes exhilaration. Risk is a part of all achievement. A risk-free life is terribly dull. Hmmm? A leap of faith?
4. Persevere even through disappointment and fatigue.
I used to ride my bicycle extensively. I would enter weekend marathons and fund-raisers just to ride my bike 50, 75, 100 miles in a day. There’s a sensation you get called a “runner’s high” named after the experience marathon runners encountered. In all sports it only comes after an athlete has pushed past his fatigue and kept on going when every cell in the body is yelling to STOP. For me it would come at about the twenty mile and 60 mile point on rides. The feeling of exhaustion gives in to a wonderful feeling of euphoria. It only happens, however, if we are willing to keep on going when we feel like quitting. Spiritual perserverance?
5. Remember the importance of team work.
Two men riding a bicycle built for two came to a long, steep hill. It took a great deal of struggle for the men to complete what proved to be a very stiff climb. When they got to the top, the one in front turned to the other and said, “Boy, that sure was a hard climb.” The fellow in back replied, “Yes, and if I hadn’t kept the brakes on all the way, we would certainly have rolled down backwards.” Work with not against each other in all things.
6. Remember, God can give us more than we ask or imagine.
Jesus offers life wherever he goes:
-- water becomes wine at a wedding in Cana;
-- a little boy receives life at the point of death;
-- a man, once lame, “takes up” his “mat and” walks;
-- stormy waters of the sea set the stage for a midnight stroll;
-- a blind man sees;
-- and, Lazarus, bandages and all, comes out of his tomb.
7. Be humble in your success.
Nikita Khrushchev and President Kennedy were having a vigorous exchange of strong opinions. Finally, Kennedy asked Khrushchev, “Do you ever admit a mistake?” The Soviet Premier responded, “Certainly I do. In a speech before the Twentieth Party Congress, I admitted all of Stalin’s mistakes.” I had a T-shirt that said, "When you're as great as I am, its hard to be humble." Hmmmm?
I have always been a risk taker and not so often humble. My struggle is to live the life Christ desires for me and not what I want for myself. I am a Romans 7 pastor. I wish I was not. Victory over stuggles develops perserverance. And, as the following scripture states, I desire to increase my spiritual maturity and be complete in my relationship with others but especially with God.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:4,5 (NIV)
What is your goal of Spirituallity?
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