Let’s reflect on some milestones in the spiritual life of children of God. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list, but a little inspiration to allow for reflection on your own spiritual journey.

Milestone: FAITH, TRUST AND HOPE IN GOD

When you believe all things are possible, you believe in the unlimited power of God.

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

Lean on Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, knowing that for Him all things are possible. Believe in His unstoppable love for you and for all souls for He died for us.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Milestone: DISCERNING GOD’S HOLY WILL AND REFLECTING ON GOD’S HOLY WORD

When you stop to consider God’s Holy Will, that’s a spiritual milestone.

God calls us to seek His Holy Will. Our ‘sensual/carnal nature’ inspires us to do what feels good, but following our feelings is not necessarily going to lead us to do what God wants us to do.

Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14

There is only one way to please God and that is to obey His commandment to love. In our day-to-day lives we need to reflect continuously on ‘what would Jesus want me to do’; that process of discernment is a spiritual milestone that requires an understanding of God’s Holy Word as spoken in the Scriptures.  Taking the time to read and study God’s Holy Word is a spiritual milestone that enables us to understand God’s Way and God’s Will.

Milestone: AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

When you thank God for His many blessings, that’s a spiritual milestone.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Recognizing God’s providence in our lives is grace in action. It is especially important in times when we are suffering to focus on the blessings that are present in our lives. 

Milestone: REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

When you ask for forgiveness or offer forgiveness, that’s a spiritual milestone.

The words that open the heart of God are “I am sorry”. When we sincerely repent of our sins, God forgives us and when we offer forgiveness to others we find freedom from the anger and resentment of past offences.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Be blessed by forgiving all those who have hurt you:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

“But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:15

Let us pray for the grace to repent and to be able to forgive.

Milestone: PRAYER

When you pray to God, that’s a spiritual milestone.

Prayer is at the heart of the spiritual life.

St. Paul said, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2: 1-2

Sometimes we may pray only for ourselves and for those we love, but to pray for all souls is to please God.

Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew 5:44

God can silence the demons that cause so much suffering on earth. Violence is at the heart of the devil’s plan, but God wants to restore peace and encourage reconciliation. Let’s keep praying for all souls, that all will come to know the great love of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, One with the God The Father and The Holy Spirit.

Milestone: RECEIVING THE SACRAMENTS OF GOD

When you receive the Sacraments of God, that’s a spiritual milestone.

It is Jesus that gives us the Sacrament of Baptism.

These were the instructions of Jesus to His disciples before He ascended into heaven: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20

We call these instructions of Christ “The Great Commissioning”.

Jesus wills for us to be baptized in His Love enabling us to be purified of sin by His Holy Blood as we become His Body, His disciples on earth, filled by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Jesus also asked that we receive His Body and Blood in remembrance of His Sacrifice. “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

The first apostles did just as Jesus asked. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

St. Paul warned people to receive the Holy Eucharist with reverence and understanding: “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” 1 Corinthians 11:29

Whenever we receive the Holy Eucharist with reverence and love, that’s a spiritual milestone uniting our hearts to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Milestone: HUMILITY

When you humble yourself before God and Man, that’s a spiritual milestone.

God is GREAT but human beings are very fallible.

If we succeed it is through God’s grace.

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

For a lot of my life I was very sure of myself. I did not really understand that God had a plan for me. I figured it was my job to come up with a plan on my own. It was only when I began to feel insecure that I truly made time for God to speak to my heart and show me my many shortcomings.

God wills to reign in our hearts and to guide our lives.

I truly understand the meaning of these words now: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:35

Life has no real meaning until we offer it up to God, but when we do we will find our true purpose, our passion and our peace.

For me pleasing Jesus is my passion and my purpose and my peace.

Milestone: COMPASSION, LOVE AND SACRIFICE

When you ignore your own well-being to help someone else that’s a spiritual milestone.

When you consider someone else’s pain and try to provide comfort and assistance, that’s compassion and that’s a spiritual milestone.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

It is popular to hear that people have a ‘bucket list’ of things they want to enjoy and experience before they die, but how many people have a ‘bucket list’ of things they want to do to please God before they die.

So many people in our world are suffering.  I read the news and grieve to hear about people in refugee camps, children suffering, murders, rapes, wars brutality of all forms.  Sometimes all we can do is pray, but sometimes we can support charities that are in a position to provide relief.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

Milestone: AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE

When you begin to consider the eternal consequences of your actions, that’s a spiritual milestone.

As spiritual people, believers in Jesus Christ, we are comforted in knowing that one day the suffering in this life will pass and we will rejoice in the peace of heaven. Our salvation is a free gift that comes from Jesus Christ, but our reward in Heaven is a function of how we choose to live. Will we choose to build God’s Kingdom on earth now or will we focus primarily on our own pleasure and well-being?

This is the eternal destiny for those who are saved by Jesus Christ: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

“For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:27

“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” 1 Timothy 6:17

Milestone: FIDELITY TO GOD

When you are faithful to God, that’s a spiritual milestone.

God desires fidelity but why is obedience so difficult for some and not for others?

Here’s my simple answer:

The Bride In Love is Faithful to Her Bridegroom.

When you fall in love with Jesus and He becomes the most important person in your life, that’s a spiritual milestone that enables fidelity to God.

The Mercy Movement is calling believers of Jesus to stop and pray and remember His Passion every day at the Time He died for us, 3pm.  At the foot of the Cross the Bride of Christ falls in love with her Bridegroom Jesus. Temptation dissolves as love triumphs.  We unite daily to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our suffering world as we remember the Sacrifice of Our Lord, thanking Him that He would die to save us..

Please join in and if 3pm in your local time zone is not a good time to stop then pick another time zone and know that there are Christians all over the world uniting to pray to Jesus for an outpouring of His Mercy and Love to stop violence and to promote peace and healing in our lives and in our world. Learn more here.