I have a friend who is very fond of the old saying, "You are either green and growing or you are ripe and rotting." I like that and it holds true for our spiritual lives. If you have been a Christian for very long you have most likely realized some significant growth in your relationship with Jesus Christ.
In my life, personal growth seems to come in waves. It seems I plod along on the same spiritual plane for a while and then something sparks a resurgence from deep inside. For me, these moments often come in the face of adversity.
One such occasion in my life took place over the course of one very long and troubling week. The week began poorly with the release of a "review" of an article I had written for a brotherhood magazine. In this "review," the writer accused me of being "woefully ignorant," and stopped just short of calling me sectarian and a factionist. In other words, the position I took was too conservative for this gentleman so I was to be "called out" and marked. Just two days later I found myself being accused of being too "liberal" for someone's liking. I'll admit, these attacks left me feeling like a "whipped puppy." Following the advice of friend and now colleague, Matthew Morine, I held my head up and soldiered on. Matthew's advice was that if I was being assailed from both sides then I must be doing something right. So I spent much time in prayer, revisited the positions that people had objected to and came out on the other side stronger and feeling closer to God. Did God send these attacks against me? I don't think so, but he definitely used them to grow my faith in him.
So what about you? Have you ever had defining moments like this? Have you ever been tempted to quit? Share your moments and help the rest of us grow through your experiences.
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