From the Pastor – April 2008

A while back, I was “channel surfing,” and happened to stumble across an entire network devoted to home restoration programs, “This Old House” kind of stuff.  As a relatively new home owner (it’ll be five years this coming November), I was instantly hooked.

Each program involves the homeowner in some phase of the housing rehab.  Some (like me) have absolutely no experience with tearing down walls, installing plumbing, electrical work, or whatever the project might be.  Others have had some experience, but not in this particular area.  For example, they may have painted a room or two, but never had to tear down walls in order to make a room bigger.  Or they’ve had some experience with plumbing, but never had to wire up an overhead light. 

No matter what their experience level, they are able to complete the project with the help of the host of the show (and sometimes additional help from other experts).  The result is a brand new kitchen, bathroom, or whatever, and a greater sense of self confidence on the part of the home owner.

While any of these home owners could have hired a professional to do the job for them, they chose instead to do the job themselves, and rely on the expert for assistance.

It seems to me that there’s a good analogy between those programs and our spiritual development.  While it is possible to leave our spiritual development to the “professionals” (namely the clergy), if we do so, we never truly grow spiritually.  Instead, we become dependent upon someone else to “do it for us.”  True spiritual growth really is a “do it yourself” task.  The “professionals” can guide and help us, but they cannot “do it for us.” 

Like some of the homeowners I’ve seen on these programs, we might find that some “spiritual improvement” methods just don’t work for us.  That’s OK.  For example, some people find reading “The Upper Room” every day a great way to grow spiritually.  Others don’t find it as helpful.  Some people like to set aside a specific time in the morning to pray.  Others find that the evening works better, and still others find themselves in conversation with God at various points throughout the day.  The important thing isn’t the method that we use, but that we grow in our relationship with God. 

Pastor Tony