“The self that begins the spiritual journey is not the same as the one who ends it.”
David Benner
When I cut into a ripened kiwi fruit the other day, I noticed how soft, juicy, and sweet it was. I am not always patient enough to wait for the fruit to fully ripen. The sweetest flavor comes from ripened fruit, but you can’t hurry fruit to ripen. It takes time, often more than we want to wait for it. Likewise, our spiritual transformation doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time for growth to occur.
As I began working on a new manuscript, I realized I am not the same person today as I was five years ago when I wrote my first book. There’s more release of control, less self-determination, and zero rush for completion. My identity is not wrapped up in the productivity or the publishing of a book. It’s not something to check off my to-do list, and I no longer have the “let’s get this done” attitude.
I’m savoring the process now, taking my time, and going slow as I follow the Holy Spirit’s direction. There’s more of a quiet trust within me that God’s got this; He’s the responsible One, and He, not me, will make this happen. Thus, there’s less pressure to perform and less stress as a result. It’s like I can take deep breaths and slowly exhale them out. This kind of writing environment brings me joy and has become a place I want to return to.
Instead of doing this project on my own, I’m experiencing God’s presence, Him being with me while writing this book. This time, I’m not writing for Jesus as much as writing with Him, and this has shifted the whole writing process, opening the door to greater creativity.
You need to pack certain things when you go on any journey. For my spiritual journey, the practices of solitude and silence, creating space for God, have transformed me into who I am today. Isaiah 30:15a says, “In quietness and trust is your strength.” Spiritual formation and transformation occur more when we are being with God than when we are doing for God.
Allow the fruit of who God created you to be to ripen fully.
“Without solitude it is virtually impossible to live a spiritual life.”
Henri Nouwen
Relevant Reflection:
How can you be more with God rather than doing for God to bring transformation in your spiritual journey?
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