Seeking a Deeper Connection with God
In a world where sensational headlines often dominate the media, it’s easy to miss the real story. Recently, a prominent pastor’s admission of “We made a mistake” sparked a flurry of attention, with many quick to point fingers and declare “I told you so.” But what about the rest of the story?
A Church’s Quest for Spiritual Growth
Willow Creek Community Church, one of the largest churches in America, has invested heavily in programs designed to increase participation and disciple-making. However, after conducting a thorough study and survey, they discovered that some ministries were not yielding the desired results, while others were struggling to meet the demand.
A Surprising Revelation
Rev. Bill Hybels’ statement, “We made a mistake,” made headlines, but it was only half the story. The real revelation was that despite their best efforts, these programs were not leading people into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Hybels realized that the church’s focus should be on creating “self-feeders” rather than “spoon-feeders.” In other words, instead of relying on others to feed their spiritual hunger, believers need to take ownership of their faith and develop a personal connection with God.
The Heart of the Matter
As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, we must draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22-23). This means seeking God daily, not just relying on others to do it for us. God is patiently waiting for us to come to Him, and the distance between us is only as great as we choose to make it.
A Call to Reflection
In these days ahead, take a moment to reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are you a self-feeder or a spoon-feeder? Do you hunger for the Word and seek God’s will in your life, or do you rely on others to feed your spiritual needs? Remember, you are as close to God as you choose to be.
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