If you know what you want in your faith, how do you get it?
In previous articles, I ask you to do two things:
- Describe the current state of your faith.
- Describe the faith that you really want.
If you missed those two articles, you can read them at the following links.
What is the State of Your Faith?
Once you know where you currently are in your faith and you know what you want in your faith, the next step is to figure out how to get it. The challenge is to plot a path from where you are to where you want to be.
If you have a plan, you are more likely to reach your goal. If you don’t have a plan, your desire remains a dream. Having a plan is critical. It’s a matter of succeeding or failing.
Interestingly, in matters of faith, most Christians know what they need to do already. We have the guidelines of the Bible to help us. Religious leaders and other Christians walk alongside us. Denominations provide years of tradition and experience.
For example:
- A person who dreams of a richer prayer life, but doesn’t pray outside of a small-group, knows they are going to need to spend more time in prayer.
- A Christian that wants to follow Jesus in helping the poor, homeless, and hungry, but who isn’t doing anything towards that ministry, knows they are going to have to commit their time if they are going to go where Christ is calling them.
Faith is not complicated. Having the faith of your dreams isn’t complicated either. To live your faith-vision, most of us know what we need to do.
Take these steps:
- Read your state of faith as it is today, reflecting upon the risks if you change nothing.
- Read your faith-vision—what you want in your faith.
- Describe what you know you need to do in order to get from where you are to where you want to be.
There may be some areas that you may need help developing a plan. That’s okay. Just describe the idea. Don’t make this general description a step-by-step plan, not yet anyway. We’ll do that in future articles. For now, simply describe the basic concept. State the obvious.
Read and reflect upon each of these three steps.
- Read the current state.
- Read what you want.
- Reflect on what you know you need to do.
You’ll discover just these steps can be inspirational and encouraging.
Some people will automatically know what to do and start taking steps in the direction they want to go.
Others may still be in the percolating stage. You’ll start thinking about it but aren’t yet willing to start. At least you are pondering the possibilities.
What’s important is that you are taking responsibility for growing in your faith. You aren’t leaving your faith to chance.
For now, keep your faith-vision in front of you. Keep considering what you need to do to get where you want to be. We’ll add more steps in the future.
Remember, Jesus taught us to ask and we shall receive. I can't imagine God not wanting you to grow in your faith. Commit time to asking God to help you to live your faith-vision.
In the meantime, what is the one thing you need to do most to have the faith you seek?