Practical Spirituality
7 min read
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
— 2 Kings 4:5-7
I remember one time in seminary, the president Jeff Iorg (who’s now holds the most influential office in the SBC) posed a rhetorical question during chapel service one Thursday. He asked, “How do you know if God has called you to a particular ministry?” And then he answered, “Well, you submit your resume, and if they select you, then God has called you to that ministry.”
Of course, Dr. Iorg was speaking to an audience of seminarians who had all presumably enrolled into seminary to follow the calling of God.
And so his point is similar to when Moses asked God at the burning bush, “By what sign will I know that you have called me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Moses was already talking to a Burning Bush with his sandals off.) And God answered, “Well, when you find yourself with the Israelites worshiping Me on this mountain, you will know.”
I always loved the practical spirituality of Dr. Iorg, because many people under-appreciate the practicality of God. I’ve met a lot of seminary students (and grads) who are so “spiritual,” they practically insists on hearing God’s “voice “ or receiving some “sign” before they will make any kind of important decision. No one needs to hear the voice of God as our alarm to get out of bed every morning—maybe the most important decision we have every day.
Of course, we should consult God in every area of our lives, but truth be told, God gives us a lot of freedom within the boundaries of His word.
Practical spirituality has to do with our personal response to the word of God. And that personal response always requires a step of faith. And there is always an element of uncertainty when it comes to faith. It wouldn’t be faith otherwise.
But there is always an element of practicality too. That practical element has to do with responding to God’s word actively and trusting God’s hand in the circumstances we find ourselves in as we respond in faith.
In this season of my life and ministry, I am 1000% confident that God has called me to this ministry. Because here I am. But to be completely open, when I first responded to this call, I wasn’t 1000% confident that God had called me to GCC. However, I was 1000% confident that I was responding to His call in faith. And because I embraced the truth of Dr. Iorg’s message, I was also 1000% OK with however it would turn out.
Because even when I accepted the position here at GCC, I had no idea how it would turn out or if I would last 3 months or 20 years. All I could do was to respond to the word of God and trust God with the outcomes.
Somehow, this passage today reassures me that God has indeed called me to GCC. And now, as I get up in years, it’s difficult not to think about what God has in store for the final seasons of my life. But this passage has a message for every age and every season. Whenever we respond in faith to the word of God, God will always provide.
Father, I thank You for being my God. You are my Shield. You are my very great Reward. You have watched over me and my family—especially during the very difficult times. You have blessed and continue to bless in shaping me into the image of my Lord. I have a long way to go. Continue to sanctify me through and through. Continue to pour out Your love, grace, and especially mercy. I need it. We all need it. In Jesus’s name. Amen.