How To Attend To Attenuated Faith
How would you describe the quality of your faith? I am not talking about the content or the focus of your faith, but rather the condition or characteristics of your faith. Maybe you would use words like meaningful, or possibly central; or you might choose words like relational, personal or vibrant.
Unfortunately, too many people seem to have an “Attenuated Faith.” Their faith is stretched thin; it’s shallow and over-extended. This is a kind of stunted immature faith. It’s marked by a limited understanding of God, His Kingdom and His Word. It is expressed with a restricted spiritual vocabulary. Often the same prayer and/or language is repeated by rote, without much thought or creativity.
Though the circumstances and challenges of life change constantly, an attenuated faith is lazily inflexible – unable to keep up with the seasons and stages of our lives.
The fruit of an attenuated faith is a dry, lack-luster spiritual life. There is no sense of adventure, journey or pilgrimage. Such a faith easily becomes a series of practices that begin to have diminishing spiritual returns. It is a degenerative faith that dies a slow death through increasing boredom. I know this sounds horrible, but it is the all-too-common condition of many believers.
If you find that these descriptors are hitting home, don’t be discouraged; there is hope – if you will
make some necessary changes. If you have an overstretched, shallow faith recognize it for what it is and determine not to give in to its increasing temptations toward spiritual sloth. There are a few antidotes that might stamp out the disease of attenuated faith. Spiritual service, creativity and/or reflection can be very helpful.
When you determine to help others grow spiritually, you will inevitably grow in your own spirit. When you serve the spiritual transformation of others, you will be increasingly transformed. If you will take time to express your faith in new ways, you will experience new things in your faith. If you study the Word of God in greater depth and through different lenses, your faith will grow deeper. And, if you will
develop a habit of reflection with God, your life will be changed. You will increasingly recognize God’s involvement, interventions and personal counsel.
If your faith seems thin, brittle and inadequate these days, please don’t let it go unaddressed. Ask God for the grace to change and grow. Consider whether new efforts of spiritual service, creativity and/or reflection might be most helpful. Today might be the launch of renewal in your life! (Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrew 5:12-14; Revelation 3:1-3)
With you,
~ Coach Tom
_________________
P.S. ... If you are stalled in life, or particularly if you are in transition, here are three ways I can help you Get Clear, Get Focused and Be Fruitful!
1. Grab a Free Copy of my "4 Key Steps to Clarity and Fruitfulness" Document. It's a Blueprint to help you move ahead. Click Here
2. Join my FaceBook Group, "Greater Focus and Fruitfulness" for more teaching, training and community. Click Here
Categories
All Categories© 2018 Greater Formation
