The Secret to Spiritual Growth (Part II)
Elisabeth Elliot called spiritual discipline the “wholehearted yes to the call of God.” When Jesus asked his disciples to follow him, he modeled a daily life of faith. He gave them a blueprint for spiritual growth and effectiveness in the kingdom of God—their new mission. This new mission is our life-calling.
If you feel spiritually stuck, continually distracted, unable to discern the truth from lies, and drawn only to comfort and happiness, you should examine if you are living out God’s spiritual growth plan. Spiritual disciplines should shape the life of every disciple aiming to follow Jesus.
In part one of this blog series, we discussed two primary disciplines of engagement—Bible study and prayer. We will now dive into two important disciplines of restraint—fasting and rest.
The Discipline of Fasting
When we talk about spiritual fasting, we are not referring to the latest diet fad that promises a hot new body in time for summer. The purpose of fasting is more than food restriction and weight loss. Fasting seeks to refocus your life on Jesus.
Lisa Bevere put it this way,
“Dieting may change the way you look, but a fast will change the way you see.”
In other words, dieting will change how others see you, but fasting will change how you see others and the world in which you live. A spiritual fast doesn’t change the way you appear, but the way you approach. When done intentionally, it will change your perspective, renew your mind, and altar your heart as you begin to realize that your greatest needs can only be satisfied in Jesus.
Spiritual fasting involves the intentional removal of anything we depend on for sustenance and satisfaction. Fasting is not a requirement, but a spiritual practice to gain greater dependency on, clarity from, and attention toward God. Fasting from anything that consumes and controls our minds provides greater dependency upon and awareness of God. Fasting links closely to prayer and scripture. When we remove food, shopping, or an activity such as television or social media, we can intentionally fill that space with God, prayer, and time in the Word.
Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:16-18, not to fast like hypocrites who desire praise of man, but to humbly fast in secret. Fasting does not aspire to earn esteem and applause, but to earnestly pursue God. The best way to fast is to start by seeking God’s wisdom. In Esther 4:16, we see that it is helpful to set a time frame and establish a clear purpose. Are you needing God to provide clarity, change your heart, or alter a specific situation? You may want to develop a habit of fasting. What you’ll find is both mysterious and wonderful—God will change your heart and give you new spiritual eyes to see the world.
The Discipline of Rest
Finally, we should take time to rest. The Old Testament provides the clear command for God’s people to honor the Sabbath each week and set it apart. The Sabbath existed as a day devoted to rest and focus on God. While it is no longer a legal requirement today, it is still an effective means for spiritual growth. In our busy, non-stop world, we need to push pause more than ever. Just as our physical bodies need rest, our spiritual growth requires rest and restoration. When God created the world, he rested on the seventh day. We understand that God did not need to rest, but chose to stop and enjoy his creation. This was a time that his presence filled the earth. When we stop to rest, we intentionally trust that God will provide, acknowledging that his presence is enough.
“It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he provides for those whom he loves even when they sleep.” - Psalm 127:2 (NET)
God gives to his beloved even while they sleep. The Sabbath was a day set apart without work in order to trust God will show up even when we don’t. We can rest and not be worried. God wants us to work hard and cheerfully, but anxious toil is the result of a fundamental lack of trust.
In order to rest, we should establish set times to reflect and meditate on God’s presence and provision. Solitude and quiet prove helpful to remove distractions. Jesus often went away on his own to draw near to God, and we need to do the same.
So what is the best way for us to establish spiritual rest in our lives? Here’s a list to help you get started:
Devote daily.
Set apart a time every day to study God’s Word and pray. Get up a few minutes earlier. Use your lunch break or when your children are sleeping or at school. Prioritize your time with God as you would any other commitment. If your children are young, the house is perpetually busy with limited quiet time. If this is your stage in life, then just embrace it and seek the Lord in the mess. Let your children watch you. There is no perfect setting. The power isn’t in the environment or the ideal timing. It’s in your intentional focus on his word and your raw, authentic prayers.
Withdraw weekly.
Commit a day each week to fast from anything that normally consumes and distracts you. Take a walk. Find a quiet spot. Connect with people and creation. Listen to worship music and fill your mind with life-giving truth and fresh perspective. If you can’t get away for a short time because of children or other responsibilities, consider trading time with a spouse or friend.
Abandon annually.
Plan an annual trip every year with the sole purpose of connecting with God. Disconnect and disengage from the daily grind, schedules, and life-burdens that often hold you captive. If you can’t afford to get away or if circumstances don’t allow it, consider a staycation and trade the favor with a spouse or friend. You need three or more uninterrupted days to refocus on Christ and his purpose for you. God created us with the intent to have a loving relationship with us. He has called us to set our hearts on finding, knowing, and loving Him. The more we pursue him, the more peace and purpose we experience.
Discipline succeeds when motivation fails.
We will not always feel motivated to “stay the course.” We won't always see the benefits immediately. Discipline is an investment. Give it time. Be patient. God will be faithful to use our efforts for his glory and our ultimate good. Our obedience will always be met with his strength and provision. So ladies, let us run the race set before us, trusting the author and finisher of our faith. He has given us everything we need to get started and to keep going.The Holy Spirit both encourages and equips us in this pursuit of spiritual disciplines.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” - 2 Peter 1:3
Onward.