Your Nearness Is To Us Our Good

I am happy with where I am spiritually, and I also am very discontent. I've learned and grown a lot, and with that growth I find myself wanting more. God has been challenging me to move forward and to move up. I have to remind myself that if I am not drawing closer to God, then I am moving away. Stagnant Christians eventually aren't Christians at all. That's something that God has been talking to me about, guarding myself against stagnancy and lethargy. I want this next year to be a year of growth, at the end of 2010 I don't want to find myself at the same place I am now. I know that is so cliche, but it's vividly true to me.
I've become more keenly aware of the Holy Spirit speaking to me and dealing with me. However, contrary to previous notions, His presence is not constricting and demanding, but rather sweet and beautiful. God "working" in a life always meant, to me, that they were becoming more conservative; as if drawing closer to Him always meant the giving up of something. Sometimes something does need to be given up, but He has taught me that when I come to Him and seek Him, my life becomes fuller and I become a more beautiful person.
I'm rediscovering the importance of prayer and praise, and that God doesn't just want my attendance at church but my participation as well. I'm realizing that if I want to see my church move forward, which I desperately do, it starts with me and my life. Closing out this year, I'm praying that God will help me to want Him more, that He will help me in my prayer life, my church life, and my life life.