All growth that is not toward God is growing to decay, declared George MacDonald, a Scottish minister, novelist and poet. An excellent time to accelerate spiritual growth is Easter and the 40 days that precede it. Here are 15 suggestions for making the most of Easter.
1. Begin by recommitting your life to God. Deeper spiritual renewal and growth often begins with confession. Express sorrow for your sins. Ask God for forgiveness. Then recommit to living your faith in a more intentional, vibrant way.
2. Bless your children. Place your loving hands on each of your children, grandchildren or God-children, offering this brief prayer; Many God guide, guard and go with you this day (or this night). Do this frequently during the days leading to Easter.
3. Ask another to forgive you. Think of someone you have wronged. Apologize. Seek their forgiveness.
4. Extend forgiveness to another. Forgive someone who has wronged you. Do this even if they don’t acknowledge their erroneous way toward you.
5. Take a step toward sainthood. The apostle Paul frequently referred to Christians as “saints.” He also said all Christians are to be called saints (Romans 1:7). Step into the role. Here is encouraging advice from spiritual writer Evelyn Underhill: “We may allow that saints are specialists; but they are specialists in a career to which all Christians are called. They have achieved, as it were, the classic status. They are the advance guard of the army; but, after all, we are marching in the main ranks. The whole army is dedicated to the same supernatural cause; and we ought to envisage it as a whole and to remember that every one of us wears the same uniform as the saints…”
6. Pray for someone who is hurting. Say special prayers for a person you know undergoing difficulty. Send that person a brief note of encouragement and say you are praying for him/her.
7. Pray for peace in the Middle East. How sad that the land which produced the “Prince of Peace” lives in a constant state of violence. Pray for peace. Pray for those who are leaders of the Israeli and Palestinian people.
8. Read a spiritual book. Visit a religious bookstore to research books on spiritual topics. Find one that appeals to you. Buy it and read it carefully. Make notes as you read. Share new insights with a friend.
9. Cultivate silence and solitude. “Silence and solitude clear out the complex cobwebs of our daily rushing and provide a space in which to renew,” writes Joyce Rupp, an author and spiritual director in Des Moines, Iowa. “It is hard to find silence and solitude where most of us live now. However, we can find reflective space if we are intent on doing so by turning off the car radio, watching less television, or turning inward when we are engaged in activity that allows for inner quiet…”
10. Simplify life. “Much of spiritual practice is just this: cutting away what must be cut, and letting remain what must remain,” says Wayne Muller in his book How Then, Shall We Live? “Knowing what to cut – this is wisdom. Being clear and strong enough to make the cut when it is time for things to go – this is courage. Together, the practices of wisdom and courage enable us, day by day, and task by task, to gradually simplify our life.”
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