I love watching historical documentaries and recently I’ve been watching a series on the History channel called “The Food that Built America”. It’s about companies that we are all familiar with and how they all got their start, some from humble beginnings. Foods like Lays potato chips, Oreo cookies, and restaurants like McDonald’s and Pizza Hut. It’s so fun for me to see the progression and how they each developed over the years.
I wonder if God looks at us and is excited about the progression we have made? I wonder if He is happy with the progress we have made in our spiritual lives? Our spiritual lives can be a challenge to measure, nevertheless, we are to examine ourselves. On one occasion Paul tells the Corinthians to examine themselves when they take communion (1 Corinthians 11:28). Another instance is in 2 Corinthians 13:5 where Paul encourages them to “test” themselves to see if they are in the faith.
When measuring and evaluating your spiritual progress there is only one piece of advice I will give you.
ONLY COMPARE YOURSELF TO JESUS – Don’t look to see how someone else measures up and how they seem to be better than you. Your goal is to be like Jesus not like any other brother or sister. Jesus says, “A disciple is not above his teacher but everyone after he has been fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Our task is to be like our teacher Jesus, no one else.
It is important to make progress in your spiritual maturity and if you are stagnant you might need a jolt of spiritual food by spending more time and energy with Jesus, the master teacher.
Think about where you are and where you want to be. Make decisions that will help you progress to grow spiritually. Make progress to be like Jesus.
I love you,
Alex