Where are you in your walk with Jesus? Are you where you want to be? Have you moved beyond believing in Him to the point where you are now living for Him? In any growth process, it is essential to be aware of where you are today. Without knowing your starting point, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to map the way to where you want to be. It’s like staring at a directory in a large mall and finding the store you need but then discovering the map has no indication of where you are currently standing. We all need the helpful “you are here” marker to know in which direction we need to move.
So where are you today? If you had to define your “you are here” indicator, how would you describe it? In which areas of your life are you struggling to live according to His commands? Which aspects of your walk have become lazy or neglected? Each day we should be focused on making positive steps toward becoming the person we were created to be. It’s vitally important that we never lose sight of the fact that a constant war is raging all around us. Every decision matters. We are either doing something for the Kingdom or against it (Matthew 12:30).
First and foremost, we need to be certain we are following the model Jesus demonstrated for us. We should be showing love to everyone we encounter. Our lives should manifest love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Insofar as our lives are lacking these qualities, we have work to do. We need to take an honest look at ourselves, performing a check-up to identify those areas in which our lives are lacking. If you’re not patient, practice holding your tongue the next time you are tempted to lash out at someone. If you lack gentleness, look for ways to soften your response at the next opportunity. Those who struggle with self-control should seek to win little victories which compound into far greater successes.
How much time do you spend praying and reading the Bible? Do you ever take time to just be still before the Lord and listen to what He has to say to you? We live in a crazy, chaotic world that has rendered quiet and solitude a thing of the past. In an instant society, the thought of reflection is a lost art or reserved for certain ascetics. There is no substitute for spending time in communion with Christ. He alone has the words of truth and life. Jesus gave his life so that we might live (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9); can we not at least spare Him a few minutes of our day?
Discovering where you are today is the launching point to growing closer to God tomorrow. As we grow in Him, we will look more like Jesus. As we look more like Jesus, we will draw more and more to want to know Christ as well. This is, after all, the goal: to live our lives wholly devoted to Jesus so that others may find life in Him. We must never be satisfied with where we are. We can all grow closer to God and walk ever nearer to Him. Determine where you are on your journey so you can confidently grow into the beautiful creation He has designed you to be.