This blog post explores a personal journey of realizing that a checklist approach to faith can hinder true intimacy with God. It emphasizes the importance of viewing spiritual practices as opportunities for relationship rather than obligations, leading to a more fulfilling spiritual life.
What if a simple realization could change your entire walk with God? For many, spiritual growth often feels stagnant, and the quest for deeper intimacy with God can seem elusive. In this post, I will share a transformative mindset shift that unlocked a deeper connection and power in my faith journey.
I used to believe that my Christian walk was defined by a series of tasks. I was reading my Bible most days, praying regularly, attending church, volunteering, and even giving to ministries. I thought I had nailed it. However, I began to realize that I had reduced my faith to a checklist of activities. This led me to question whether I was truly engaging in a relationship with God or merely fulfilling obligations.
To illustrate this point, I reflected on my marriage. What if I treated my relationship with my wife the same way I treated my faith? If I only spoke to her for five minutes a day, sent a text occasionally, and fulfilled my financial responsibilities, would I feel justified in claiming a strong relationship? The answer was clear: intimacy cannot be measured by activity alone.
It is easy to mistake activity for intimacy. While engaging in Christian practices is important and can be evidence of salvation, it is crucial not to confuse doing things for God with being in a relationship with Him. I found myself loving the idea of God rather than truly engaging with Him. My faith felt like an add-on to my life rather than the foundation of it.
The pivotal moment came when I shifted my perspective. Instead of asking how much I had left for myself after doing things for God, I began to see myself as dead. This may sound strange, but it aligns with the scripture that states anyone in Christ is a new creation; the old has passed away, and the new has come.
On the day I was baptized, I symbolically buried my old self. The old version of me was gone, and I emerged as a new creation. This new identity meant that I needed to stop viewing prayer, giving, and serving as obligations. Instead, I began to see them as opportunities to bring joy to my Creator.
With this new mindset, I realized that the practices God encourages us to engage in—whether it be serving, praying, or fellowshipping—are not burdensome tasks but rather joyful opportunities. They are meant to enrich our souls and deepen our relationship with God.
This journey has been transformative, and I hope my experience encourages you to reflect on your own spiritual walk. Are you engaging in a relationship with God, or are you merely checking off boxes? Embrace the truth that you are a new creation, and let your spiritual practices flow from a place of love and intimacy rather than obligation.
If this message has resonated with you, I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time, take care of yourself and nurture your relationship with God.
