by Corey Waddell
[Recently] we observed how easy it is to become dulled to the world around us and the damage such desensitization can do to us. However, it is not sufficient to just acknowledge the undesirable. We must also work proactively to make ourselves better. This week we will explore some suggestions of how we can do more than just avoid being dulled. How can we sharpen our spiritual senses in an era of constant exposure to undesirable things?
1) Consistently Engage God, His People, and His Word
“Engagement” is different from “exposure” because it involves participation. Much like thirst is quenched by drinking, not swimming, to keep our spiritual senses sharp, we must participate in the spiritual things we have been given. We must occupy ourselves with the heart of worship, not just show up. Meditate on the message of scripture instead of merely reading the words (Col 3:16). Interact with our church family beyond a quick handshake and greeting (Heb 10:24-25). When we engage God, his people, and his word they become part of who we are, and our spiritual senses are honed.
2) Mix Up the Routine
I am a schedule-oriented guy. I have to be if there is going to be any hope of checking off all of my tasks any given day. The potential pitfall of a structured schedule is the tendency for it to become a rut. Sometimes it is revitalizing to change up elements of the routine. Finding a different method of Bible study, sitting in a different pew, writing your prayers instead of saying them “off the cuff.” These are examples of simple things that can add renewed energy to your spiritual endeavors because they force your mind to slow down and process what is happening instead of going into autopilot.
3) Challenge Yourself
Do something that is outside of your comfort zone. Muscles are not built by sitting on the couch or lifting the same amount of weight for ten years. They are built by pushing your body to go beyond its comfortable limits. Our spiritual senses need the same challenge to grow and sharpen. Read a book you know you will disagree with. Talk to a brother or sister in a different age demographic. Teach a class and make yourself vulnerable to questions from the crowd. Try to memorize fifty Bible verses in a month. The possibilities are endless. What if David had stayed in the fields as a shepherd, or Peter had stayed with his nets? They would have missed out on the growth they never could have imagined. Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone will bring strength and alertness you may not realize are possible.
Recognizing the potential of dulled senses is a great start, but it is not enough. To be better, we must be proactive in doing things that sharpen our senses as well. With the help of God’s Spirit, these suggestions, among many others, can empower us to prepare our minds for action, and be sober-minded, setting our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:13).
via The Daily Bread