Apprentice 2 Jesus

The question of spiritual vitality has captured me this week.

As I was listening to an interview with John Ortberg, he gave some signs of how he measures spiritual formation in his life.

In ministry, we often enter in with a vision of the greatness of God. We are overwhelmed with the vastness of the Kingdom and the thought that the King of the Universe has called US to work with HIM in this great Kingdom! What a vision!

If we hit stretches of depression, or get in a rut, often it is because we have lost the vision of God and replaced it with mission. We are caught up in mission and goals, so if the goals are not being met, we are not having a good day! Our feelings get tangled up with the sense of accomplishment, or lack thereof.

We need to recapture the vision of the greatness of God. This has led me to meditate on the prayers of Paul in Ephesians. THERE are some thoughts from a man who has a vision of the greatness of God!

TWO QUESTIONS:

1. Am I more irritable today in my life than I was six months ago? If I am, chances are I am losing spiritual vitality.

2. How is my level of joy? We should be known for JOY as believers. Am I struggling with joy in my life? If I am, I may be losing focus of Jesus the Center.