Maintenance

     This past week, my roommate and I were unable to do dishes because we ran out of dish soap. But, we still had to eat, so our dishes began piling up. It wasn't until yesterday when I finally picked up some dish soap that I was able to clean up our kitchen.

       This may seem like an odd story to began with, but take a minute to think about your spiritual life. When was the last time you did maintenance on it? Our faith can become vulnerable without consistent care and attention. There are too many temptations, too many things fighting for our attention in today's society. For me, I know that unless I write in time on my never-ending "To Do" list, I'll never make time for my faith. It's all too easy for me to get caught up in school, work, and future plans. What things in your life compete for your attention? It's the Earthly things that we hear screaming for our attention daily, but do you listen for the whisper of God? He fights for our attention too and wants to get to know each of us on a deeper level, but it's up to us to make the effort.
   
     So, how can you grow with God if you don't spend time with Him? You can't. But, here are a few tips and tricks that have helped me get through those times when I let the kitchen get a little dirty...

1. Read your bible. There is no better way to get to know and understand God than to read His word. My biggest difficulty is figuring out what part to read, so I got a verse of the day ap. Then, if I don't know what to read, I look at the book of the verse that pops up and start reading there.
2. Pray. For me, I'll either pray in bed before I go to sleep or journal. Writing has always been a natural way for me to let go of and make sense of what is going through my heart. More often than not, if I'm unsettled about something, you can find me writing in my prayer journal. You may be different, so just find what works for you. (kneeling, drawing, writing, etc.)
3. Find a new perspective. Do you have someone in your life that you can go to and just talk? A good listener is difficult to come by, but try and find someone close to your age as well as someone like a parent/grandparent/or pastor. This way, you can have a fresh perspective to remain grounded, but also someone who can offer advice based on true life experience. These are fruitful relationships that really help you grow.
4. Self-reflect. Turn that microscope on yourself. Analyze where your heart is at lately, your actions, your desires, and ask yourself if you are truly living in God's image. No one is perfect, so don't be discouraged, but we can always do better. Sometimes when we're in a rut, we need to change our focus and our motives to get right with ourselves and with God.
5. Open your eyes. Are there a lot of bad things in this world? Yes. Turn on the news and its all too easy to see. But, when was the last time you opened your eyes to the daily miracles God works into your life? I can tell you they're there. It may be of the smallest measure, or a fleeting opportunity, but latch on to what goes unnoticed and let yourself be amazed by God.

     Remember that lighthouse analogy from my first post? Well, lets finish with that. A lighthouse is rendered completely ineffective if it is not properly cared for. The light will burn out, and it will not be accomplishing its purpose. Don't let your light burn out. Do the maintenance on your spiritual life and you as well as those around you will reap the benefits.

Until next time,
One lighthouse to another