It's Personal

There are questions that some people feel are personal, but they really don't bother me that much.  For instance, I don't particularly care if someone knows my age, weight, how much money I make, or who I voted for in the last election.  Not that I go around volunteering that information, but if you ask me I'll probably tell you.  Or, I might make you guess :).  That's always fun.  Especially when people guess my age at 5 or more years younger than I actually am. Woo hoo!!!  I hope I look that good when I'm 40 and 50... LOL.  

Spiritual growth is personal.  Each Christian's life journey is different from everyone else's.  I think it's amazing how God shows me things in the Scriptures.  It's like an "ahhhh moment" when He teaches me something, and I actually get it.  However, sharing these "ah moments" with others can be difficult.  They are personal.  They are unique.  They effect me in a way that no one else personally experiences.  I want to share them, because they are amazing, it's just hard finding the words to adequately communicate how amazing they are, or what the really mean.  

Faith is like that.  Unless you experience faith, it's hard to explain.  Blessings are like that too.  Most of the blessings of being a Christian aren't material or tangible.  Therefore, trying to explain them to someone else can often be difficult.  You really don't know unless you've experienced it too.  But, it's wonderful!  It's peace, joy, and happiness.  It's the abundant life.

...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10).

Another thing about this abundant life is that you really don't know you are missing it even when you are missing it.  You just know that once you get it, you didn't have it before.  I think a lot of Christians "go through the motions" so to speak, but never really experience the abundant life.  They don't really know what joy is or what peace is.  It's not about being rich.  It's not about being healed.  It's not about living long and prospering.  It's simply about letting God have control.  It's about letting Him teach you.  It's about letting Him lead and guide you.  It's about following His Word, reading His Word, and letting the Word change your life. 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour... (Titus 3:5-6).

Letting God control your life is great.  I wouldn't want it any other way!  I'm by no means the perfect Christian.  Please don't get me wrong.  However, each day God is revealing more and more of His will to me.  Each day He is helping me become more like Christ.  Each day He is teaching me things through His Word.  It's not about becoming super-Christian, it's simply about allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me.  And the only way for that to happen is to get ME out of the picture and focus on HIM.  ME rears it's ugly head up many times!  That's why being a disciple is a constant, daily thing.  Being saved is the first thing, but after that Christian growth never ends.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23).