Further Up and Further In
Further Up and Further In: A Journey of Spiritual Renewal by Pastor Dan Sinkhorn
In our spiritual lives, we often find ourselves yearning for a destination - a point where everything will finally fall into place. We tell ourselves, "When I reach this milestone" or "Once I overcome this obstacle, then I'll have arrived." But what if the journey itself is the destination? What if our spiritual growth isn't about reaching a final point, but about continually moving "further up and further in" towards the heart of God?
This concept, beautifully illustrated in C.S. Lewis's works like "The Great Divorce" and "The Last Battle," invites us to reconsider our approach to faith. It's not about arriving; it's about going. It's about embracing a journey of constant movement towards the center of all things - God Himself.
The apostle Paul captures this idea eloquently in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." This verse paints a picture of ongoing transformation, a continual journey towards becoming more like Christ.
Renewal, then, isn't just a moment or a destination. It's a direction, a constant motion. It's an invitation from God to stay in movement, to resist stagnation, and to never assume that our current state is as good as it gets. Like a water heater that needs regular flushing to remove built-up sediment, our souls sometimes need a thorough cleansing to burn hotter and brighter for God.
This journey of renewal isn't always marked by dramatic, earth-shattering moments. Often, it's characterized by subtle shifts, gentle nudges from a loving God who walks alongside us. His presence is so gentle that we never feel snatched or dragged. Instead, we find ourselves naturally veering in His direction, drawn by the gravitational pull of His love.
In our quest for spiritual growth, it's crucial to remember that God needs nothing from us. As Acts 17 reminds us, "God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." Our efforts to please God should be a response to His extravagant kindness, not an attempt to earn His favor.
Interestingly, one of the most powerful ways we can pursue spiritual renewal is through rest. Sabbath is an act of faith in God's sovereignty and power. It's a declaration that the weight of the world rests on His shoulders, not ours. Jesus Himself, with just three years to save the planet, still found time to sleep deeply, attend parties, climb hills, and go fishing. He was, as Dallas Willard once described Him, "relaxed."
This idea of rest and relaxation in our spiritual journey is beautifully captured in Psalm 127: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves."
As we pursue spiritual renewal, we're invited to grow in inner quietness, rest, and trust. We're called to let our "ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace," as John Greenleaf Whittier wrote. This doesn't mean we become passive or apathetic. Rather, it means we learn to work from a place of rest, trusting in God's sovereignty and power.
In practical terms, this journey of renewal might involve regular times of prayer, scripture reading, and reflection. It might mean developing habits that help us stay attuned to God's presence throughout our day. It could involve using apps or other resources that guide us in spiritual disciplines. Whatever the specific practices, the goal is to continually move "further up and further in" towards the heart of God.
As we embark on this journey, we might find it helpful to adopt phrases or practices that serve as "Ebenezer stones" - reminders of God's faithfulness and our commitment to move forward. These can be simple phrases we repeat daily, helping us to let go of past struggles and embrace the new life God is offering.
Importantly, this journey of renewal isn't just for individuals. It's something we're called to pursue as a community of faith. As we move "further up and further in" together, we create a gravitational pull that attracts others. People are drawn to authentic faith, to communities that radiate God's love and peace. Our witness becomes not just what we say, but how we live - relaxed, at peace, continually moving towards the heart of God.
In conclusion, let's embrace this journey of continual renewal. Let's resist the temptation to see our spiritual lives as a series of arrivals and departures, and instead view it as a constant movement towards God. Let's learn to work from a place of rest, trusting in God's sovereignty. And let's do this together, creating communities that radiate God's love and draw others into this beautiful journey.
May we know grace and embrace our finite smallness in the arms of God's infinite greatness. May God's word feed us and His Spirit lead us into the week and into the life to come. As we go about our days, let's keep moving "further up and further in," always towards the heart of God.
In our spiritual lives, we often find ourselves yearning for a destination - a point where everything will finally fall into place. We tell ourselves, "When I reach this milestone" or "Once I overcome this obstacle, then I'll have arrived." But what if the journey itself is the destination? What if our spiritual growth isn't about reaching a final point, but about continually moving "further up and further in" towards the heart of God?
This concept, beautifully illustrated in C.S. Lewis's works like "The Great Divorce" and "The Last Battle," invites us to reconsider our approach to faith. It's not about arriving; it's about going. It's about embracing a journey of constant movement towards the center of all things - God Himself.
The apostle Paul captures this idea eloquently in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." This verse paints a picture of ongoing transformation, a continual journey towards becoming more like Christ.
Renewal, then, isn't just a moment or a destination. It's a direction, a constant motion. It's an invitation from God to stay in movement, to resist stagnation, and to never assume that our current state is as good as it gets. Like a water heater that needs regular flushing to remove built-up sediment, our souls sometimes need a thorough cleansing to burn hotter and brighter for God.
This journey of renewal isn't always marked by dramatic, earth-shattering moments. Often, it's characterized by subtle shifts, gentle nudges from a loving God who walks alongside us. His presence is so gentle that we never feel snatched or dragged. Instead, we find ourselves naturally veering in His direction, drawn by the gravitational pull of His love.
In our quest for spiritual growth, it's crucial to remember that God needs nothing from us. As Acts 17 reminds us, "God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else." Our efforts to please God should be a response to His extravagant kindness, not an attempt to earn His favor.
Interestingly, one of the most powerful ways we can pursue spiritual renewal is through rest. Sabbath is an act of faith in God's sovereignty and power. It's a declaration that the weight of the world rests on His shoulders, not ours. Jesus Himself, with just three years to save the planet, still found time to sleep deeply, attend parties, climb hills, and go fishing. He was, as Dallas Willard once described Him, "relaxed."
This idea of rest and relaxation in our spiritual journey is beautifully captured in Psalm 127: "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves."
As we pursue spiritual renewal, we're invited to grow in inner quietness, rest, and trust. We're called to let our "ordered lives confess the beauty of thy peace," as John Greenleaf Whittier wrote. This doesn't mean we become passive or apathetic. Rather, it means we learn to work from a place of rest, trusting in God's sovereignty and power.
In practical terms, this journey of renewal might involve regular times of prayer, scripture reading, and reflection. It might mean developing habits that help us stay attuned to God's presence throughout our day. It could involve using apps or other resources that guide us in spiritual disciplines. Whatever the specific practices, the goal is to continually move "further up and further in" towards the heart of God.
As we embark on this journey, we might find it helpful to adopt phrases or practices that serve as "Ebenezer stones" - reminders of God's faithfulness and our commitment to move forward. These can be simple phrases we repeat daily, helping us to let go of past struggles and embrace the new life God is offering.
Importantly, this journey of renewal isn't just for individuals. It's something we're called to pursue as a community of faith. As we move "further up and further in" together, we create a gravitational pull that attracts others. People are drawn to authentic faith, to communities that radiate God's love and peace. Our witness becomes not just what we say, but how we live - relaxed, at peace, continually moving towards the heart of God.
In conclusion, let's embrace this journey of continual renewal. Let's resist the temptation to see our spiritual lives as a series of arrivals and departures, and instead view it as a constant movement towards God. Let's learn to work from a place of rest, trusting in God's sovereignty. And let's do this together, creating communities that radiate God's love and draw others into this beautiful journey.
May we know grace and embrace our finite smallness in the arms of God's infinite greatness. May God's word feed us and His Spirit lead us into the week and into the life to come. As we go about our days, let's keep moving "further up and further in," always towards the heart of God.
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