I have a terrible time getting rid of old shoes, especially my walking shoes. Even when I know they are worn out, when the support is gone and my knees begin to complain that my shoes aren’t supporting me the way they should, I just don’t like to give them up. There is something about the way they feel that makes me wear them long after I should have replaced them.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally dropped my resistance and bought a new pair of walking shoes. I was amazed at how much better I felt with that new support. It was worth the effort to make the change, to try something new.
Sometimes my spiritual life is like that as well. I have certain practices that I do regularly – forms of personal scripture reading, study and prayer, ways of doing ministry that are just comfortable. Tried and true, they have supported my spiritual life for decades. And yet, there are times when I realize that so much “comfort” may indicate that I might be avoiding deeper things that God wants me to experience and places where I need to grow spiritually. But, oh! It is hard to change a routine.
In Hebrews 5:12 the writer reminds us that we who have years of experience in our faith ought to by this time be past the days of “milk” as primary nourishment like infants in the faith, and on to solid food – learning the more “mature” things of God: discernment, forgiveness and ministering to others. Sometimes that means stepping out of my routine and trying something new, like a new devotional practice or finding a new way to serve those around me. I guess I'm saying: "Ok, God... show me the way......"
Hmmm... hang in there with me and let's see what comes of this!
