For years I have attended courses, read recommended books and have really enjoyed most of them and felt that I did receive something each time in a spiritual sense. Alpha, Life in the Spirit, diocesan Lent and Advent courses, Celebrate events in my area etc. etc. I have lead a prayer group for a number of years and belonged to others.
I think that growth as a christian does involve educating yourself and being with people who have similar beliefs. You can fill your whole life with what is available out there, but I seem to have got to a point where I feel unfulfilled. Each course or group I attend, I feel something is missing and an urge to get out there and actually put into practice what I am living mostly in my mind and also to question the fruitfulness of what I am involved in.
We are told what we need to do to be good christians but I wonder if most of the time it is all intellectual rather than practical. We are ticking boxes by attending a service/Mass, going on various rotas to help out with these from singing in the choir to making coffees, etc. We join groups and talk about our faith. We read books to help us understand more. But I feel that this can lead to emptiness if it isn’t followed up by reaching outside of our comfort zones more and putting ourselves at the service of others. This can be very challenging. We need to ask God for direction in our lives and for help in finding out how we can use our talents to help others more and where we are best placed to do that.
Although we do need to spend time in prayer, study and joining with others to worship God, let’s let our willingness to help others also be a priority, with love and in Jesus name.
God bless,
Matthew 5:16
….let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Widows Mote 