Physical Actions, Spiritual Outcomes

Sometimes we really don’t know how good God is!

Many of us think of spirituality as some exotic, other-worldly state of existence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those of us who hold this view tend to have a divisive or even schizophrenic view of life. They can treat others in un-godly ways while proclaiming their faithfulness to God. They may fool others, but trust me on this; God will not fall for that trick.

But back to how we sometimes don’t realize how good God is. When it comes to our spirituality, He does not require us to eat twigs and bugs while wearing a dusty and musty wrap-a-round sheet and living in a remote mountain. He does not even ask us to ignore our physical being to attain a higher level of connection to Him. Why is this a good thing? Simply put, because most of us would not be able to fulfill those requirements. I know for me, I am not down with munching on a bug and twig sandwich. And, I actually like where I live, so mountaintop living is not for me.

God has graciously allowed us to perform physical actions that can have spiritual outcomes. Now I can do that!

• Being nice to people and being considerate of their needs
• Not looking at people of the opposite sex as only sex objects
• Going to church, reading my bible and praying regularly
• Taking care of my physical body
• Being faithful to my platonic and romantic relationships
• Being a shoulder to cry on and a friend who can keep secrets
• Going out of my way to make sure the things I engage in do not bring harm in any way to others
  

These are all physical things we do that can have spiritual results. It really does not get any simpler than that.

Thank you Lord for not requiring me to try to become something I am not just to honor you. Thanks for the capability you have given me to praise you through the physical things I do. I appreciate you for making a healthy relationship with you possible not through some strange mystical guidelines, but through the physical things I carry out. Thank you so much for keeping things simple when it comes to grower closer to you.

Just Like 10,000 Tongues

If I had 10,000 tongues, I could praise God constantly from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. Maybe then I could adequately list what He has done and not leave anything out. He has done this and He has done that. With 10,000 tongues, I could be certain that I would not miss anything that God is worthy to be praised for.

But with only one tongue, how can I sufficiently give God His due? Even if I talked without ceasing, there is no way I can capture every act that God has performed on my behalf. With just this one mouth, how can I speak enough words worthy of the magnificent and wondrous Creator? Lord, I feel so inadequate. Will you accept my sincere but insufficient praise?

As a Christian single, how can I praise God with the same level of success as if I had 10,000 tongues?

• I can put God at the forefront of my thoughts and actions.
• I can endeavor to love others as He has loved me.
• I can affirm the humanity of others by not limiting my perception of them as only a sex object nor as just someone to fulfill my needs.
• I can share my testimony with others so they can see God’s influence on me.
• I can express compassion by sincerely trying to help the less fortunate.
• In my relationships with others, I can elevate their interests over mine.
• I can use my God given talents and resources to uplift those with whom I am interacting.
  
  

By doing these and other things, I can demonstrate my praise of God on a constant, 24/7 basis. With each breath, I can proclaim His goodness just as effectively as if I had 10,000 tongues. What a powerful thought! With the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, I can take my one tongue and miraculously multiply my praise. God has given me the opportunity to put my spiritual mouth where my heart is.

Thank you Lord, for making it so that I don’t need 10,000 tongues to adequately praise you. Thank you Lord for the capability to take my one tongue and still lift my voice so that it is sweet music to your ears. You have designed me to honor you by serving others as if I have been spiritually cloned. With your empowering Spirit, only one tongue will do. If I do as you have inspired and guided me to do, I can praise you as if I had 10,000 tongues.