Because I believe that God desires a relationship with us more than He desires specific actions, I will tell you that there is no “one right way” to grow your garden, your spiritual life. There is One God with whom you need to develop that relationship, but how you go about it seems less important to me. You may choose to go to a “big screen” church and raise your hands singing praise music; or you may sit quietly in a tiny country church while the choir sings “Rock of Ages;” you may be in a home, a gymnasium or a Gothic cathedral; you may fast and meditate or travel and witness. It is your heart that matters; it is my heart that matters.
For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give you a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to the Lord is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart , O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17
That being said, it seems God is very detail oriented. Reading the Old Testament, it is amazing the level of detail He gives His followers – on building the Ark, on building the Tabernacle in the desert and the Temple in Jerusalem, on priestly clothing, as well as detailed specifics on sacrificial animals and human interactions. The Kosher laws are incredibly detailed.
God often gives very specific instructions to and through His prophets which need to be followed to stay in relationship or for healing. (2 Kings 5, 1 Kings 17, Ezekiel 4, Exodus 11, 1 Samuel 16, 1 Kings 18, etc.)
In the New Testament, Jesus, who came to save everyone, was very attuned to each person individually. He healed people one at a time. He took time for individual conversations. He saved the world through His death and resurrection, but He interacts with us one-on-one. There is a profound lesson here.
As a young person, I very much wanted to do something BIG. As I age, I am becoming increasingly convinced that it is the little things that really count. Perhaps the details do matter.
It seems that people are usually either focused on the ‘big picture” and let the little things slide, or are so detail oriented that the task remains unfinished.
But God apparently is not as limited as we are (insert smile here!) He can create the Cosmos and individual snowflakes. He is concerned with global injustice, and how I react to my co-worker. He can topple governments and urge me to call a friend. This is the beauty of His Spirit that lives within us and will give us details when they matter.
So, while there is not necessarily one right way to be in relationship with God, there may be one right way for YOU (or ME) to develop our faith. There may be very specific things that God wants YOU or ME to do. When we hear a specific word from the Holy Spirit, we need to be obedient. We need to be faithful, full of faith. We need to be obedient in the little things. Trust and obey.
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. Luke 16:10
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave. You have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21
O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you. Psalm 84:12
The Victory Garden 