Are you Spiritually Hungry?

Growth and comfort never co-exist.

1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Dallas Willard writes that as disciples, we are not trying to be different people, but we are training to be different people.

There is an immense difference between training to do something and trying to do something. John Ortberg describes this training verse trying in his book, *The Life You Always Wanted.*

Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

For you [Starwars fans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XsuY3qzDfY) Yoda understood this principle when he said to Luke,-“Do or do not, there is no try.”

True success comes from being stretched.If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.We need a specific, measurable, defined goal.

It does not have to be perfect... But you need a plan to reach a goal.A church had a small percentage of small groups. They set a goal for 75 groups in a year. Then they lowered the # and shortened the time frame... Setting a goal for 22 new groups in 22 days. They started 22 groups in 11 days. It would have never happened without a stretch goal.

Consider:

* Doubling the number of people serving by June.

* Doubling the number of small groups by September.

* Doubling the size of the Prayer Team in two months.

* Journaling for 20 minutes a day.

* Lose 20 lbs in three months.

* Read a book a month.

* Schedule a new leader conversation every day...

I am learning to embrace continual discomfort, it is called “stretching myself” - As I age, something is always sore, but I have to push forward just to maintain physical health. My comfortable couch will kill me over time. Like Paul the Apostle, I must “press on.” To stay motivated, I must consider what impacts my emotional core. What do I really care about deeply

Facts don't move me to action... statistics don’t touch my heart. Stories connect with emotions.

Great leaders don't just win over the minds but the hearts... Consider Martin Luther King Jr and his “I Have a Dream” speech. It wasn’t “I have a strategic plan..." He inspired people with the mind, the heart and the will.

What moves me at the deepest level? I’m inspired by those who live to the glory of God! I love reading biographies of people who dedicated their lives to making a difference that has lasted the test of time.How about you? What is your next step? God always has a next step in the journey.What is a current stretch goal?

Consider setting some SMART goals:

What are three goals that will create an emotional connection to your work, to your ministry, to your calling from God? Remember that “vocation,” at the root means “calling.” There is nothing more fulfilling than to know that you are fulling your Divine calling, doing what God uniquely created you to do. That is where “shalom,” the peace of God is most profound.

Most battles are won or lost in the mind. Is your mind going to operate by faith or sight?What is your next step of faith?> 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV) for we walk by faith, not by sight.