The first time I heard a pastor ask this question I assumed that it was just this particular young man and his style. Since that time I have heard many now ask this same thing. Essentially, what they are asking us is are you with me, are you following me, are we on the same page?
As believers we know that God never stops speaking and teaching. We read His Word and He speaks to us from the text in our Bibles. But, we know that He doesn’t just use His written word. God speaks to us by His Spirit, and when He speaks either we are tracking or we are not.
I spend a lot of time driving and I do expect the Holy Spirit to speak to me and He never disappoints. The other day, after coming off of a long trip, I knew that the Holy Spirit was giving me a simple recommendation. That recommendation was to go home and stay home. I knew clearly in my spirit that I was to listen and obey. My body was telling me that I was fatigued and God was confirming it.
God is concerned with all aspects of our life. We may think that there are moments that go unnoticed, but this is never the case. Our Creator is never weary or distracted. He is always on the job.
Lately, I have heard a new phrase come up called self care. Many people are aware of it and it has become a huge topic of conversation. It doesn’t really require much explanation. You and I can both figure out that self care is about taking care of ourselves.
At this stage in my life I expect wisdom to guide my steps. Not just experience, or practical knowledge, which of course is good, but godly wisdom that comes from tracking with the Holy Spirit. I expect to make decisions that may not necessarily make sense to everyone, but that are clear to me. My understanding is driven by years of tracking with the Holy Spirit, taking what I am hearing and implementing it into the best possible version of self care.
Self care is not just about me, not about being self-centered, or selfish. It is about recognizing that my life is a gift and making the most of that gift, both physically, emotionally, and absolutely spiritually. Am I tracking? I am indeed!
Romans 12:1 CSB Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you many discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.