It's Time to Level Up

When I was younger and played video games, it was always rewarding when my character excelled enough to reach the next level. Some games switched it up and, as you progressed, the pace and tempo would increase or the challenges would intensify. It was all in fun and I honestly still enjoy that aspect of gaming. Albeit on a different scale of time management games that I can play at my own pace, but still reap level up rewards.

As an adult, what those moments have shown me is the importance of growth. In the gaming world, you can certainly choose to stay on level one if you want to. However, there will be a limit to what you learn and experience. Life is the same way. Growth certainly seems inevitable. Naturally speaking. We’re born and, with each day that passes, we are a day older than we were the day before. That’s our nature and we see it in nearly everyone that we may know. Especially if they are our own children or other friends and family members. 

Unlike physical growth, maturity isn’t always observed at first glance. One might appear to be mature, then after one conversation it’s discovered that they’re still on level one. Sometimes, being involved in that type of exchange is the evidence you needed of your own growth. Our spiritual maturity is not that different. 

I was recently talking with a friend about the benefits of our spiritual growth. Afterall, we can’t exist on milk or as a mustard seed forever. Our faith walk is one where our goal is to continue to advance until we reach the reward that God has waiting for us. If we stray off path or create our own detours along the road, then the journey gets that more difficult. Even worse if we are not spiritually fit. Every day we should be tapping into and exercising our faith, just like we (should) do with our physical bodies. If we exercise and do some toning every day, then we see and feel the results when we start to slack off. Spiritual living is not dissimilar. 

In conversation with a sister in Christ, she kept telling me how she did not feel the same closeness to God she once felt. After she outpoured all her frustrations and uncertainties, she admitted that she doesn’t spend the same time praying or reading the bible that she once did. Our spirit reacts in a similar way to our natural bodies when it begins to suffer from neglect. Just like our bodies when they begin to display symptoms of malnourishment, our spirit does the same. It’s an opportunity for us to pause and conduct a self evaluation. 

So as you journey along on your road, do not neglect your spirit. Spend time with God on a daily basis, striving toward a goal of continued spiritual growth. 

Stay Sunny!

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