I've gotten into a spiritual rut lately (I'm talking months and months here)- constantly praying to know God more, to feel his presence, to trust him more, to see his beauty around me. It't not always easy to find the motivation or sense of urgency to study his Word and truly submit myself in prayer. Most days I don't 'feel' like it and honestly, I've had the thought "if the Lord wants me to know him better, he will reveal himself to me."
I recently went to my first women's retreat with church. I was hoping to learn something new and exciting but instead I was reminded of something I already knew but has completely pushed out of my mind: Those who seek the Lord find him when they seek him with all their hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). You mean I actually have to put effort into this?
Yes, yes I do. You do, too.
"God provides everything we need, we have to avail ourselves to the things he provided." -April Barrett
I want to encourage you if you have a faith life but need to grow spiritually- it's time to take action. This morning I had some free time before my day started. To read Harry Potter or not to read Harry Potter... then I saw my devotional book sitting on the shelf. I didn't really feel like reading something serious but I paused and had a thought: my emotions and feelings can be deceiving. Just because I don't feel like something doesn't mean it's not right. I picked up the devotional and I so clearly heard from the Lord. The title was "Insight Not Emotion".
"If we try to reintroduce the rare moments of inspirations, it is a sign that it is not God we want. We are making a fetish of the moments when God did come and speak, and insisting that He must do it again; whereas what God wants us to do is to walk by faith...We must never make our moments of inspiration our standard; our standard is our duty."
The standard of my moments with the Lord and the knowledge of his presence in my life is my duty. Wow. In order to achieve oneness with him I have to make an effort, an actual effort. Moments of inspiration from the Lord are such a gift. This devotional says God will give us touches of his inspiration when we are not in danger of being led away by them. I really look forward to those moments when I can distinctly hear the voice of the Lord. They reassure my faith but they do not sustain it.
I love my husband every day not just the moments when he sweeps me off my feet and takes my breath away. Those occasions are special and rare; and that's the way I want it.
It's so hard to make time for something when we lack inspiration. I personally struggle with that. However, I still brush my teeth every day and do the dishes (not quite every day...). I just do it because it's the right thing to do. I brush my teeth because I want to care for my body and prevent future issues. I wash dishes because I like a clean home and don't want to smell the rot of old food.
Similarly, we can view our spiritual lives that way. We need to get rid of the rot and the stink that sometimes fills up our lives and a great way to do that is by seeking the Lord. But really, truly, seeking him.
I'm still working on this. Life can be so absolutely crazy I am thankful for the constant presence of God even when I lack motivation to seek him. That's how much he love us!
ABOVE THE BATTLE