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“We have a tendency to assume that if our spiritual experience is real, it will produce instant change.”

A thought by Andy Stanley, (2009-01-21) from his book, Louder Than Words: The Power of Uncompromised Living (Kindle Locations 1054-1055). The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

We have a tendency to think that if I am a Christ-follower then longevity means maturity.  That when I accepted Christ into my life that I have arrived and that is it but that isn’t true.  Oh there may be some things that changed in that moment but there are other things that come from growth.  We grow in our character. 

Now I am a 67 year old retired pastor who has found a ministry through writing.  I take other people’s thoughts and from my experience I give my thoughts, I just continue that thought.  Now it can come across that I have arrived.  I no longer have a need to grow, I just need to show.  And there is great spiritual danger there.  I have not yet arrived.  I am still going through the process and I have to constantly live with that fact. 

And God is still very faithful to show me where I need growth in my character.  But there is a real danger of letting my love grow colder and my heart to grow harder and not being sensitive to His voice.  Oh I am mature.  People listen to my wisdom.  But the question is “how is my love life?”  The danger is a hard heart.

This quickened me this morning as I read this thought by Andy, “When what grieves God no longer grieves you, your heart is hard. When what bothers God doesn’t bother you anymore, your heart is hard.”  We have stopped growing in our character.

Andy says, “Character requires a sensitive heart. To develop character amidst the numbing climate of our society, you cannot afford to develop calluses. You cannot risk operating with blind spots.”

So why not stop today and really get honest with yourself and with God. 

How is your heart?  Is it hard or is it sensitive?
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