“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls down and has no one to help him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Staked for the Storms
When planting larger plants we often stake them. We want to encourage growth in the right direction and provide a strong support for when the storms come. (And they will come!)
How do we ‘stake’ ourselves spiritually? Do you know what direction you want to grow? It’s easy to say we want to grow, but how, and in what way?
What to learn how to pray effectively?
Want to learn what God expects of you?
Want to learn the Bible better?
Know how and where you want to grow and then select where to place you stake. There are many great resources for learning how to grow.
Books, DVD’s and conferences are great starters. I would also highly recommend an accountability partner. A living, breathing person who cares about you and will ask how you are really doing. Knowing you will be asked will keep you motivated to follow through with your planned ‘how’.
Over ten years ago, a friend from church asked me to keep her accountable to her daily Scripture reading. I truly respected her and saw her as a spiritual mentor. I was honored she would ask for my assistance.
Each week, I asked her how things were going. I prayed for her and verbally encouraged her. I witnessed her faith, which was like a delicate rosebud, burst forth in bloom as a mature flower. She thought I was helping her, but I learned so much about simple accountability by observing this process over several months
And don’t underestimate the power of human connection. When you ask for someone to help you, your relationship is growing deeper. God created us to need one another, to support one another, and to help each other grow.
When plants are well staked they tend to grow better and stand a better chance of surviving the storms. And, so do Christians.
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Reflections:
1) How do I wish to grow spiritually?
2) Devise a game plan, implement.
Let us know how it’s going!
Thank you for reading! Please return Monday July, 22, for the next post.