Changing

[Keero]

Posted this over at CCGR as well:

So, I'm in of a bit of a spiritual and physical plateau. This has been going on since last November. I've been wanting to improve my life by getting closer to God (so I go to church/youth group again, but not reading as much Bible as I need too), working out (bought a good weight bench I haven't used yet), and getting a good education (university = win). But I have had trouble getting motivated, or just DOING something, ya know? I have so much free time since I go to school only six hours a week, but I don't want to be gaming all day long. (Yes, it's fun, and yes, it does get boring to the point where I just buy more games and repeat the cycle). I've been wanting live life a lot differently (not I-want-to-be-a-woman-named-"Alex" differently, but live better).

But how to I get from here to there? I can feel the God-shaped hole Christian's "aren't" supposed to have. Feeling plenty o' luke warm and lazy. :/ What pushed you dudes and dudettes to change your habits/outlooks/motivation/spiritual walk?

 

[Abba San]

The single thing left out by most Christians when they want a growth spurt with God is...

They do church - worship - fellowship - Bible study - prayer - concerts - seminars - devotional reading - increased quiet time - fasting - small group - 1:1 discipleship - almost anything and everything EXCEPT...

Service

Find a place to serve - in the church or outside the church - don't wait to take a spiritual gifts survey. If you want to jump start your relationship with God find a place to serve, in His name and for His glory.

 

[Abba San]

Oh yeah - God will bless yo for seeking and asking.

 

[Tek7]

I think part of it may be the change in season of life, too.

I know that when I graduated high school, entered college, and stopped attending youth group, it felt like I hit a spiritual "plateau" as well. Looking back, the truth might have been less complex but more difficult to admit: Much of my "Christian walk" was social rather than spiritual. I associated having a place where I belonged with being in God's will. It felt good to finally have a place where I fit in and losing that was difficult.

Even if you feel you've hit a wall, stick with it. Plateaus aren't always a bad thing, though they may be frustrating at the time. The phrase, "Wait on the Lord" comes to mind.

And I think Abba San was dead on with his advice to find a place to serve. Doing more constructive things with your time will improve your outlook, benefit others, and improve your character.

I'm still trying to separate the social from the spiritual myself (in part because so much of spiritual service and growth involves interacting with other people), so I don't feel qualified to give much advice past echoing Abba San's suggestions.

 

[ewoksrule]

Along the lines of the service comments...I recently started serving in the AWANA program at our church. It is pretty "low risk" as my crowd is 1st and 2nd graders, but it has been very rewarding so far and I can see how God is using it to move me forward in my position with Him. I highly recommend it as church's are always needing more help in children's ministry. (if your church doesn't have Awanas, then children's ministry in general is a great place to ignite some fire in your spiritual life)

 

[The Mighty Gerbil]

I've been wondering if this is how you've been feeling Keero. In regards to getting closer to God I don't know if I can give you good advice, however, it seems like you are looking for your place in this world http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dzst4XavuQ . Finding out what God wants you to do with your life requires a lot of prayer and time spent in thought. I wish I could help you more :/.

 

[Exo-Slayer]

I can’t give you much advice on the spiritual side beyond what has been said but I had a similar feeling about how I spend my time earlier this year. I spent way too much time gaming and felt like nothing could change. One day I just looked in the mirror and didn’t like who I was becoming. I quit wow and cut back on most of my other gaming. I still game but it’s more to fill in the time when I can’t find something more constructive rather than living my life around my gaming habits.

In six months I’ve picked up cycling and gone more than 800 miles while losing 50 pounds, got a promotion at work, just closed on a new house, closer to getting published then I’ve ever been, became more social, met a nice lady friend and gained a better respect for myself. I can still enjoy gaming but I know I have to put limits on myself.

The biggest piece of advice I could give you is to find other hobbies and interests and structure your life so you can’t sit around playing games all day. Set a schedule for your workout routine and your bible reading or whatever you choose and stick to it no matter what new game just came out.