Are we there yet?

LIVING | SPIRITUAL LIFE DEVELOPMENT

Norman Rockwell (1894–1978) was an American painter and illustrator. His works are best known for capturing snapshots of everyday life in the U.S. One such creation is entitled “Going and Coming,” which depicts a family leaving for vacation and returning. The contrast between those events is unmistakable. The family leaves for vacation, bright–eyed with excitement, but arrives home, bedraggled, and exhausted. No doubt, traveling can be tiring. Hours on the road or in the air, changes of schedules, cramming activities, different food, not your bed; you get the picture.

Life itself has been compared to a journey. But this journey is no comparison to a weekend at a woodland cabin or a week on the beach. Life’s journey is not for the faint of heart and certainly not a sprint but a marathon. There may be days when you’re unsure if you’re coming or going, as depicted in Rockwell’s painting. Life can throw unexpected roadblocks, detours, cancellations, and dashed hopes and dreams. These alternative routes can leave us stuck in the mud if we’re not prepared.

Your spiritual growth journey has possibly taken some detours and been confronted with roadblocks, resulting in crushed expectations. Consider the following:

“God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn: when you don’t follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, when you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse. For you, the Eternal’s Word is your happiness. It is your focus—from dusk to dawn. You are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry. Your fruit ripens in its time; your leaves never fade or curl in the summer sun. No matter what you do, you prosper.” — Psalm 1:1–3 (VOICE)

Outing illustration © SEPS licensed by Curtis Licensing Indianapolis, IN.

Be attentive

The Psalm reminds us that God’s blessings are at “every turn.” We live in a world that is filled with constant distractions. Being attentive to God means finding His life, voice, and message in everyday occurrences. Truly savor what you eat, be empathetic toward those with whom you interact, delight in nature, and develop a deeper sense of thankfulness for everyday provisions. Learn to linger in the moment.

Be discerning

There is a myriad of voices that speak into our lives. Adam McHugh writes in his book, The Listening Life , “We have an infinite buffet of options, and everything sounds so good. Whether we realize it or not, we are persistently serenaded by a cacophony of voices that battle for our souls, each seducing us with promises of fullness.” Psalm 1 tells the reader to ignore the advice of the wicked and to avoid sin, judgment, and sarcasm, which are deadly mental and spiritual mind fields. With the Lord’s help, every believer can develop spiritual discernment.

Discernment is so much more than making the right choices. It is noticing when God shows up. One way to strengthen your ability to discern is to review your day in God’s presence. Reflect on when you felt Him speaking and you either embraced His guidance or rejected it. The more you examine your day, the more you will be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Doing so will help you sift through all the voices in your head to decipher His voice.

Navigation tools

Psalm 1 speaks of God’s Word as a navigational tool. It seems like a “no–brainer,” doesn’t it? Yet when we compare our time on social media to our time spent in the Word, we no longer wonder how we get a little lost. Ask God to give you a deeper hunger for His Word. Wherever you are on your journey in reading and understanding the scriptures, challenge yourself to delve deeper.

The destination

We will head toward the right destination when we intentionally look for God. Seek Him at every turn. Attune your spirit

My Story: A Life Mapping Exercise Resource created by the Spiritual Life Development team to hear His still, small voice. Spend more quality time in His Word. The Psalmist says we will bear fruit for His kingdom, and our influence will never fade.

Don’t lose heart and become preoccupied with the need to know, “are we there yet?” The bottom line is that there is joy in the journey, and every day is a new day to be right where you are supposed to be—in the center of His will.

RESOURCE

Life is a journey with straight roads, detours, hills, and valleys. Yet, sometimes, if we step back and ponder our life, we can see how the hand of God has masterfully formed who we are today. My Story: A Life Mapping Exercise allows you to process the ongoing work of God in you and how he is developing a clearer reflection of Christ in you.

Life mapping is a process where you create a timeline that captures moments in your life and helps identify and interpret God’s activity in them. As you reflect on these past experiences, you better understand what has shaped you, how you live, and what matters most. Our joys and victories, challenges and trials, sin and brokenness, are often clues to our vocation, healing, and redemption.

As you walk through this exercise, you will see God’s work in your life from the past and give you the confidence of His presence and guidance in the future. My Story: A Life Mapping Exercise reaffirms God’s promise “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

by LAUREN HODGSON