Personal Growth // next steps

I almost titled this post “A New Regimen” but that word ‘regimen’ kinda scares me. I’m not one for strict structure when it comes to personal discipleship because there are so many ways in which we grow, and for me, they are always changing. My own personal steps though are changing.

For a while now, my time spent in focused growth in the mornings has been floundering. Reading other books had become such a major focus that the morning reading I was doing was just not clicking. So last week I had this thought that beginning next year, instead of doing ASAOABAWFAY (a solid average of a book a week for a year tour) I would read commentaries with Scripture and really dive in. Then, yesterday it occurred to me that it was pointless to wait until next year, now is the time. So, today it began, and I dove into studying Scripture with a commentary in hand.

A second point that must be added is the inspiration I received last night while listening to John Piper. He made the comment that when he reads, he always writes. So, he will read something and then write a poem based on what he’s read and it helps him to internalize his reading. Its a form of response basically. I was moved. So, for me, for now, I’m giving it a go. I’m diving into the commentaries to aide my study and then I’m responding with a poem.

As far as poetry and poets go, I’m in the lower 1% of all mankind in ability. But, I thought I would be vulnerable and show you what I wrote this morning as my response to what Holy Spirit was teaching me while I began my journey through 1st Corinthians. You can go read the first 17 verses of 1st Corinthians to get some background on the poem or just to see if my response fits with the teaching there.

Divided and conquered You are not
United, victorious You are

We the created are deceiving ourselves
Pressing forward the glory of our names
Believing the knowledge we have
is greater than Yours
Thus bringing upon ourselves only shame

We oft place our hope in the teachings
of mere men
robbing glory and honor from You
Kill this divisiveness, murder this pride
As one make us wholly new

Divided and conquered You are not
United, victorious You are

**I’m working through a commentary series which I think ranks in the top three of the greatest of all times. If you’re thinking of using commentaries with your study, make sure you’re not reading a crazy head author. (Yes I said crazy head).