Have you thought lately about how much your spiritual life matters? I was talking with a friend the other day about how easy it us for us to “check off” our spiritual life, as if it were just a task to be done. It’s also easy for us to feel like, “I know Jesus, so that’s enough.” Our aim as Christ-followers is to continually grow throughout our lives. We’re never going to have reached a point of arrival or complete understanding, so it’s a lifelong learning process.
Here are three questions to ask yourself as you look at your spiritual life:
1. Are you spending time in the Word daily? (Matthew 4:4)
In different seasons of our lives, we may have more time than in others, but how are you engaging with the Bible on a daily basis? Is it something you do because you feel like you should, or has it become something that you love? Just like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4) were given manna to eat, God has provided nourishment in the form of the Bible. Jesus is the Bread of life (John 6:35), and diving in more deeply with Him feeds our hungry souls.
2. Are you daily submitting to God’s authority? (James 4:6-7)
When I don’t remind myself that I’m not my own ultimate authority, I often find myself in situations I shouldn’t be in. I put myself on a pedestal that isn’t mine, and I’m constantly disappointed by the people around me. It’s when I submit myself to God’s authority and remind myself that I’m here to serve and glorify Him with my life, it changes everything else. I’m able to lead most effectively out of my own walk with Christ, and that starts with humble submission to Him. The more I submit to His authority, other people can tell that I’m walking with Him and spending time with Him.
3. Are you bathing everything in prayer? (Matthew 6:5-15)
Laying everything at the feet of Jesus in prayer is a way of re-aligning my focus. It lets me loosen the grip I hold on things, and makes the load that I carry much lighter because His desire is to carry those things. It’s easy to think, “He’s God. He must already know, so I don’t need to tell Him.” But, this is where we find true intimacy with Him. It’s in conversation and prayer. I try to pray using Scripture, which is a great way to learn and engage in both God’s Word and prayer. When we make everything a matter of prayer, it’s another reminder that God is in control, and we are not.
Wherever you are in your walk with Christ, there’s always room to grow. As you ask questions and engage with the Bible, don’t be afraid to dig in deep and ask questions. Let other believers hold you accountable as you grow, and be encouraged by what you can learn from those around you. The more you aim to grow spiritually, the more you’ll actually lean in and learn. Your spiritual life matters.
Mary Margaret West serves as the Girls Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources, and has a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She served several churches as a Girls’ Minister, and teenage girls and the women who lead them are her favorite group of people on the planet. Mary Margaret has a passion to equip girls and women to dive deeply into God’s word and live out their calling. She also hosts Lifeway Women’s {MARKED} podcast. Mary Margaret and her husband Jonathan live in Franklin, Tennessee.