Making Adjustmentsfeatured

I don’t know much about steering a ship, but I suspect it is much harder than steering a car on the freeway with the cruise control engaged.  The wind and waves are much harder to deal with than smooth concrete. I have been on enough sailboats to know that in order to stay on course, the person at the helm has to make frequent adjustments to the rudder and sails whether seas are calm or stormy.

While on this earth, we are much more likely to be navigating the seas than cruising down the highway in a sporty convertible.  Whether our life is in a period of peaceful calm or in the midst of a storm, as Christians we need to make frequent adjustments to make sure we stay on course spiritually.

So, what adjustments keep us on course? I find that my adjustments tend to fall into three areas – knowing God, loving God and serving God.

God’s Word is our encyclopedia of God.  Through Scripture, he reveals himself to us. Maintaining our knowledge of God’s holiness, love, and power is foundational in keeping us on track. When I veer off course, I need reminders of who God is and sometimes even need a reminder that God’s name is not Sharon!  Isaiah 40: 28 tells us, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”

Loving God means obeying God.  I wish it were easier, but Scripture makes it pretty clear.  In Luke 14:23 Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.”  In the next verse Jesus makes it crystal clear, “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” Ouch!  I find it so easy to fudge on the obedience front and Satan tries to convince me that it is no big deal.  I find adjustments in this area are painful because they require me to examine my often less-than-pure motives.  Obedient living requires vigilance and frequent adjustments.

We are called to share the blessings we have received from God with others.  This is how we serve God.  Paul describes what it means to serve in Romans 12:13-18: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another…Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Serving God in these ways does not always come naturally to me.  I find it much easier to focus my attention on me.  To serve God well, I need to make frequent adjustments.

I created this painting, “Joy,” about a year ago.  It never felt quite right and I knew I needed to make some adjustments.  I finally got around to the task this week.  I need to darken some areas and lighten others.  Some areas needed to be emphasized and others de-emphasized.  I have renamed it “Complete Joy.”

Spiritually, I need to make adjustments much more frequently than once a year.  Unfortunately, the adjustments and course corrections I make don’t seem to have the same sticking power as my acrylic paint!  Fortunately, the Holy Spirit is always available to help me (and you) get back on course. 

I am finding there is real joy to be found when make our spiritual adjustments. I pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit we will each experience the joy that comes when we make those all-to-frequently needed adjustments so that we can know God better, love him more, and serve him more faithfully.

About the author

Sharon Collins

Thanks for visiting Becoming His Masterpiece! I write Christian devotionals to accompany my abstract paintings. In reality, I am just the hand that holds the brush and taps the keyboard. The Creator of all things is the true author and painter. I hope this site will bless you while on your life long journey to Becoming His Masterpiece. That journey begins when we say YES to Jesus Christ.

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