Springtime has snuck up on us here in Nashville – and we couldn’t be happier! The sun has (finally) started making regular appearances again, and the weather is absolutely beautiful. However, over the past weeks and now into April, it has been raining…..A LOT. There are showers just about every other day, even if only for a few minutes; needless to say, rain jackets and umbrellas have become a staple in our wardrobes.
Even though rain can make getting around town a little tricky and our hair a little frizzy, it is a necessary part of the transition from the lifeless scenery of winter into the lush, colorful blooms of summer. And its effects are glorious: the sights and smells that will inevitably come from all this rain are going to make these wet days seem much more manageable.
The same can be said about our spiritual growth. In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul instructs his apprentice, Timothy, in his ministry to the church at Ephesus: “Have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness” (CSB, emphasis added). Similarly, the NASB says it this way: “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (emphases added). Discipline is a necessary part of our progression into spiritual maturity, but practicing that discipline can sometimes feel like rain: inconvenient, tiresome, and maybe even a little turbulent. But just as rain nourishes the trees and shrubs back to life, the Word of God revitalizes our mind and spirit into greater Christlikeness.
Perhaps the most important thing we must remember as leaders in the Church is that God’s Word doesn’t terminate on us: we have young women depending on us, observing our lives, desperate for a godly woman to follow and model. Our first priority in the spiritual disciplines (studying God’s Word, praying, serving, etc.) should be to submit to the Lord’s commands, but we should also have these girls in mind as we walk in obedience. We cannot lead them unless we are being led by the Spirit. There’s no better time than now to get into the Word and watch as God grows both you and your group!
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We at Lifeway Girls want you to feel confident in practicing habits of grace. One great resource we recommend is Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, which you can pick up at your local Lifeway store or online at lifeway.com. It is both short and sweet, and we will have more practical tips coming to you soon, both on the spiritual disciplines and other topics!
What is your favorite/ideal place to study Scripture and pray? Let us know by commenting below!
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