Surface-level Christians. We go to church on Sundays and pray at the table before we eat dinner. We think "Yeah I believe in God," we know what the bible is and we understand the story, or so we think. But do we feel God's embrace everyday? Do we feel the hands of Jesus on our backs during times of struggle? Do we have a relationship with Christ in which our everyday actions are influenced by his true desires for us? The seed of Christ has been planted in us and we are aware of it, but we aren't tending to our thirsty grain that is lacking the care it needs to flourish. God accepts us the day we accept him, no matter what. But in order to become sprouting Christians, growing out from our roots and living afire in his name, we need to put action into our faith. If you feel like you are just a leap away from becoming the Christian you really want to be but don' t know how to make the jump, here are some things that can revolutionarily change your faith.
1. Identify places in your life in which you need Jesus the most.
Become humbled in the name of Christ by surrendering things that you no longer have control over.
2. Get involved in a bible study or small group.
Converse the gospel, ask questions, and connect in a more personal and casual way.
3. Find at least one blessing from God every day.
Whether it be a beautiful sunset or a quick smile from a stranger, God is everywhere.
4. Find a friend or relative in which you can talk about God or scripture with to help you through life's problems.
Call them up and ask if they would like to talk about the Bible with you, tell them how much their faith has inspired you to learn more, trust me it will change their lives too.
5. Turn to the gospel before anything else.
Instead of looking to the bars, to the parties, to the internet, look to the Bible. Crazy idea I know, but if you flip through the pages and submerse yourself in curiosity about what it has to say, you will find more answers than questions.
6. Keep your bible out, even if your not reading it every second.
It will remind you everyday to stay grounded to Christ. It may also help you to discover the gospel more often.
7. Find one scripture that means something to you and memorize it, keep it in mind during times of hardship.
Write it on your whiteboard, write it on your hand, keep it on your mind and in your heart.
8. Spend time with the Lord on more days than just Sundays.
He likes to hear from us more than just once a week, get used to talking with him, and share things you feel anxious sharing with anybody else.
9. Find Kingdom opportunities in everyday to act as Jesus would.
Times of anger, depression, anxiety, and frustration all create opportunities to act one way and to act the way Jesus would. Realize them and act upon them gracefully.
10. Integrate some Christian songs into your daily playlist, hear the gospel, speak the gospel, sing the gospel.
Use songs to uplift you out of times of discontent and displacement. Let the words sink into you and influence your mood.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-12: "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to good while they live."
