I feel something inside me changing. I’m not sure what it is
or what it will look like yet. But I want to share it – to help others find the
same abundant life. This word study that I have been looking into – “peripateo axios”
(Walk Worthy Eph. 4:1, Colossians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Circumferential
and fully encompassing of every area of life with a center axis point at which
everything else rotates. So, to put that in English: each area of my life
(physical, emotional, spiritual, social, mental, hormonal, etc.) finds its
anchor point in the person and work of Christ and in the purpose of bringing
him glory by being intimately connected to him in each and every moment.
Decisions are made, actions carried out, fruit produced in the strength of and
for the glory of God alone. Optimal health for his glory. Optimal growth for
his glory. Optimal outreach for his glory.
It would be easy to hold off on the “start” of this journey
until I can really lose weight – I’m halfway through pregnancy, so that’s not
happening anytime soon. Or part of me could easily fall into self-striving in
an attempt to find this ideal in every area of life. But that’s not what my
heart is being summoned to at this point.
In the old Testament, believers in the promise and followers
of the Torah were instructed to give a tenth (a tithe) of their first fruits
toward the growth and development of the temple. Many today, still follow that
principle in their finances, but what would it look like to take that a step
further? We are told that our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit (1
Corinthians 6:19). What would it look like to invest 10% of our time, energy,
and focus each week to provide for the growth and development of where the Holy
Spirit resides? We are the church – are we at optimal performance for the glory
of God? Is my body, mind, and heart functioning at a point that I can fulfill
the will of God? That’s the whole purpose of walking worthy – that we may be fully
pleasing to Him in every way.
In my current state, can I be the wife or mother God has
called me to be? In my management of stress, nutrition, fitness and rest am I
living in such a way as to optimize time, energy, and focus for the things of
God or am I more likely to be self-indulgent in my food, activities, and entertainment
choices? Just some questions I’m pondering as we approach this new year.
I want 2019 to be different. I want to start now - taking
steps toward finding that deeper communication with the Holy Spirit on a moment
by moment basis so that whether I eat or drink or whatever I do, it can all be
done for the glory of God.
Wanna join me? A journey like this will look different for
each person, but I’d love to share mine and hear what God is teaching you as you
venture down this road of walking worthy of the Lord.
