2007-06-23 - Split Ends

As someone with longish Blonde hair, I'm well aware that if we don't trim our locks on a regular basis, we will get 'split ends,' and the hair will stop growing healthily. Isn't it the same in our spiritual lives?

"Split ends" can come in many forms - habits, attitudes, relationships. There are some common split ends, which can stagnate our spiritual growth.

One "split end" is not nurturing our spiritual lives as we should. if we stop reading God's word daily, going to a local church for fellowship (if physically able) or praying every day, our relationship with God will not flourish.

The "split end" of drinking excessively or using marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine or any other illegal drug (and abusing prescription ones), changes our personality, takes over our very lives, and in fact becomes our "god." People - too many people - have abandoned (sometimes literally, sometimes just metaphorically) families, jobs and homes, to worship at the altar of a drug.

The "split end" of a judgmental, bitter or sarcastic attitude can negatively affect our spiritual lives, as well as hurting and "infecting" others along the way.

The "split end" of living one's life to please another human being - be it parents, siblings or whoever, takes focus off the One we should all be striving to please.

In fact, any unhealthy relationship can become a "split end," if that person draws us away from God, our church, our Bible reading - or encourages us to take part in unhealthy activities such as excessive drinking or smoking "pot."

Even normally good things can become "split ends." We can become so busy doing "good things" that we neglect our families, and we can burn out, as well.

Are there any "split ends" in your life, that God would like to "trim," to mold you more into His image?

John 15:1-11 (NASB) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruit.

Comments or Questions?
Jan

cfdevjan@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org