Over the past week I have been in a little bit of a funk. I think that part of it is coming off of the high from Uganda, then our family reunion and lastly the trip to New York. We were not made to live on mountaintops. There has been nothing really bad that has happened, and I have not been in any gross sin. I continue to do all of the things I usually do, but there is no spark there. I was listening to a pastor talking about miracles and how wonderful they are, but how they can never be truly sustaining. It does not take much of a review of the Bible to confirm this. Just look at the Israelites who witnessed the amazing events of the Passover and then the parting of the Red Sea, and within a month they were bowing down to a golden calf. Are we much different than them? So I asked myself, What does it take to sustain our faith? I am just beginning to explore this and here are my early thoughts. If any of you have thoughts, please let me know.
Since God is a person and not a thing or force, a sustaining relationship with Him involves the usual things that relationships need. The first is spending time with God - good quiet times and prayer. Secondly is spending time in the Word, not just leasurely reading but quality time of exploring this truth. Thirdly we must be obedient to the truth we have. Jesus said that he who loves me will obey my commands. But all of this I have been doing and still the well is dry. Why?
As I have been thinking about this and praying about it, I felt the Lord saying two things. The key to sustaining power of God in our lives first lies in the ability to hear God on a regular basis. This is something I am not very good at but am really trying to learn how to listen well and to distinguish His voice. The second key to this involves our purpose here on earth which is to worship God. If we are active in worshipping Him throughout the day then the power of God will infuse into our life. There is probably more but that is all I have right now.
2 comments:
i like this discussion dad and will also chew on it some more. i think that walking in the giftings and purposes of God does bring joy and pleasure to God and yourself. my other thought is that sometimes life is just steady - like your relationships - you don't have this amazing time with your spouse every time you are with them, but that doesn't mean that you stop spending time with them or that you don't want to. i don't know - just some initial thoughts. hope you are well - miss you and love you! christy
Great message Dad. I think that we all too often think of our relationship with Christ as a mountaintop experience, but in reality there are going to be valleys that we have to persevere through to reach the mountaintop (think of hiking). Your right on Dad. Love you man.
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