Sabbath Thought – Five Year Plan

We naturally focus on spiritual self-examination each year as we approach Passover. Certainly, we are to take a spiritual inventory of sorts, but it should be to accurately assess where we have grown in order to give thought to what areas need more effort and direction to overcome.

That is one aspect of our self-examination. Another aspect to consider is more of a “long game” in terms of our personal vision and goal of being in God’s family. Our physical life is never static – challenges, trials, work and family matters all ebb and flow in directions other than what we might desire and plan for – but our spiritual life is never static either. We are to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) which means change!

To that end, if life “forces” us to be different, or to change, what should that change look like? We know from scripture that we are to (ultimately) have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5), but what steps or actions do we need to take along the way to accomplish becoming like Christ? Here is one question to consider: “If no measure of God’s spirit was withheld from you what would you be doing?”

I find that question exciting to consider. We can easily read of the examples of many faithful in Hebrews 11 and think, “I could never be like them.” Why? None of those individuals sought out the roles or the examples they came to be. In fact, almost everyone of them resisted how God wanted to use them, albeit in the end all of them submitted to God’s will and were used in very powerful ways. Again, if no measure of God’s spirit was withheld from you what would you be doing? What would your service look like? What kind of example could you be to other members, or even the world around you? How might God use you in teaching His Word? Where might God be able to use you in many other areas?

Our spiritual self-reflection might include a long-term plan to more fully grow in the faith of Jesus Christ and to reflect our Father and His son more completely. Do we consider asking God to not only direct us in how He wants to use us, but to also ask Him to give us the measure of His spirit needed to accomplish His will?

As you self-examine this Passover season, perhaps you can also consider how God might use your talents, abilities, temperaments or your spiritual desires if you simply asked Him and then following His direction as He does just that.

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

21 March, 2026