We become...

... like those we interact with the most.

I've been realizing just how true this is in my own life.
As a Christian, it's easy for me to get caught up in trying to improve my own life through focusing on working harder on fixing the symptoms of problems in my life.

But, in doing this, all I end up doing, is spinning into a cycle of frustrated, constantly slipping, stunted growth. It doesn't last, and it often doesn't feel worth the effort.

Have you ever experienced this? Maybe you do regularly, like me....

Instead of focusing on the ill symptoms in our lives, what if we were to focus entirely on the one thing which can bestow on us lasting, peaceful, growth?

Any ideas what that could be?

Our relationship with Jesus! You see, it really is true, we become like those we interact with the most.

I've realized if I want true, deep growth, it can't come from my own effort or strength. It has to come as a result of Jesus' work, through the Holy Spirit, in my life.

And how does that come to be? How does that actually happen?!

Through spending time with Jesus. In His Word. In Community. In Worship. In Love. In Humility. In being preached to. In serving others.

All this can really be summed up in one word: RELATIONSHIP.

Deep, intimate, longsuffering, loving, relationship.

May Ephesians 3:14-21 become a reality in each of our lives, that God would be glorified!

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.