Self-Feeding

Willow Creek has learned it.

Wayne Cordero figured it out a long time ago.

Dave Ferguson of Community Christian Church is definitely practicing it.

I think it’s becoming very clear, that the art of self-feeding is foundational and necessary for every Christ-follower.

Growing up in a conservative evangelical church, all I heard was “make sure you have your quiet time”. In fact, I remember getting a little booklet called “5 Minutes With God Each Day”. So, naturally I aborted this idea with great excitement once I got to college. What was intended to be a beautiful opportunity, quickly became a sick chore.

What I realized a few years later was that (1) spending time with God out of duty really stinks, and (2) not spending time with God really stinks. I have a tendency to suffer from “Knee-Jerk Reaction Syndrome“. It’s when  you  learn that a certain system IS NOT working (i.e. 5 minute quiet times) and then  you jerk back the other way … all the way to the other end of the spectrum.  That’s what I did. I just stopped spending time with God.

Even while I planted the Vista, I struggled with this. Then, last year at the National New Church Conference I heard Wayne Cordero speak at the opening main session. It was simple. Clear. And so convicting. Wayne simply talked about gaining true wisdom, and how there is no other way to gain that from God’s Word and prayer. It wasn’t so much the message that got me, it was the credibility of the man that brought the message.

So I’ve committed myself to journaling ever since. Haven’t been perfect, but I’m learning to feed myself (even outside of sermon prep). I cannot even begin to tell you the difference in my life, my heart, my mind, than when I began spending 30-45 minutes a day soaking in God’s Word, writing out what the Holy Spirit was speaking to my spirit, and praying for God’s continued revelation. Life-changing. Soul-shattering.

I encourage you to get back to the beauty and simplicity of meeting with Jesus.