Focus

Those who have almost forgotten about their own spirituality because their focus is so exclusively on their union with Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished are those who are growing and exhibiting fruitfulness. Historically speaking, whenever the piety of a particular group is focused on OUR spirituality, that piety will eventually exhaust itself on its own resources. Only when our piety forgets about us and focuses on Jesus Christ will our piety be nourished by the ongoing resources the Spirit brings to us from the source of all true piety, our Lord Jesus Christ. -Sinclair Ferguson

 

The quote above has been in my mind recently.  It conveys a sense that the less we think of our spirituality, the more we'll actually grow in our walk with Christ.  I have always been a bit leary of someone who is quick to share with me at length about all the ways they've been growing spiritually.  They usually use the words "I", "me", and "my" a great deal in the conversation.  I almost want to stop them and ask, "Yes, I hear what you're saying, but what do you think of Christ?"  It makes me wonder, have we as church leaders pettled "spiritual narcissism" in the name of spiritual growth?  Have we praised self-absorbtion masquerading as "taking the next step in our journey?"  If we have, I pray the Lord is merciful.  In the end, we must ask ourselves if we stripped away all the godly activitites we consume ourselves with, would God himself be enough?  Would we know Him apart from those activities we associate with growing closer to Him?  My prayer is that we would make less of ourselves and more of Christ.  That to me is spiritual growth.