Leaning, learning, and seeking His comfort

Can you truthfully say you've never felt the need for someone stronger than yourself on whom to lean, for someone wiser than yourself from whom to learn, someone to comfort you in sorrow, to soothe you in sickness, and to make life itself worthwhile?

You have felt this need as you have seen yourself wholly inadequate.  You've reached out for the one unchanging hope that God's love presents

But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God and made Him my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works.  Psalm 73:28 AMP

You accepted the gift; you became a Christian; you were born again.  And there you were, a baby in the Kingdom of God.  That's as it should be, a new life, a new creature, a new growth.

But look at yourself with eyes that are fair, eyes that are completely honest.  Have you, have I, continued to grow spiritually a little each day, a little each week, or even a little each year?

On Sunday, Lord, I'll worship you, I'll sing your praises true.

I'll shift the burdens off of me and place them all on you.

I'll list my wants, and favors seek, but after that we're through.

So please don't bother me all week; if need be, I'll call on you.

We have a spiritual experience and we see a hand stretched out to us.  We feel the nail holes, we understand the Cross, we admit our inadequacy, and we say, "Oh, yes, Lord, we'll take your hand.  We need it, we want it, we cannot live without it."  And then suddenly we realize that clinging to the other hand of Jesus is all the rest of the world.

But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful.  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood [for I considered] their end.  Psalm 73:16-17 AMP

Each time we take a step closer to God, our horizon seems to widen and we see new ways in which to grow, new goals to try to reach, new sins that we never before knew we had.  Strangely enough each step leaves us eager and willing to attempt another stretching.  We aren't discouraged over what we see before us, only thrilled and thankful over the newness of life brought about by the small progress already made.

Sometimes I feel ashamed that I've slipped back again, a baby in the Kingdom.  Even then, because I've seen a broader vista, joy and expectancy aren't completely lost.  I'm strangely anxious and ready to try a little meat instead of the milk I've been feeding on.

Just a little at a time, a little more effort in studying His Word, a little more time allotted to conversation with Him, a little more willingness to try His way, and a new step is made.  The meat begins to satisfy.

I began with a crippled soul, turned completely away from God.  Just a little at a time I twist, stretch, pull, until gradually I turn toward Him.  Patiently I seek, ask, try, until one day I know...

I'm turned toward the Light, away from the darkness, with new growth and HOPE!

Image courtesy of midiman