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August 30, 2011Returning to Christ
Even when we fail to pursue God, he always equips us to turn back to him.
A few weeks ago, I reviewed my New Year’s resolutions for 2011. My list included several impactful spiritual goals that I’d needed to work on when the year started.
The update: I’m failing. Miserably so, but I already knew that.
I’m not a woman of action. I leisurely get tasks done, often procrastinating until the last minute. When I do accomplish something, though, I celebrate. I say to myself, Look at what you’ve done. You are a capable, creative, and independent woman. It feels so good to be productive. And it really does! The problem is I’m not disciplined enough to change my habits when the next task presents itself, and I live in a cycle of simply completing or doing nothing at all.
The same can be said of my spiritual life. Like many of us, I go though phases—wavering in my commitment. The last five months have been a low swing, a long stretch that I’m only beginning to correct.
Here’s where I found my spiritual life three weeks ago: I’m not pursuing holiness; I’m not reading my Bible; I’m not pursuing relationships that will help keep me accountable; I’m unmoving.
The picture was bleak—a “doing nothing at all” phase.
The hopeful thing about a phase—it passes. I’m still receiving information about God, being moved by him, and listening to him. My pride and selfishness have kept me in neutral, but the desire to lift up my heart to him hasn’t disappeared. Because, thankfully, we serve a Lord who faithfully pursues us and listens to us.
Several women have spoken words of wisdom and direction to me in the past few weeks. I have some clear strategies for renewing my goals for the year. Once again, God has equipped me and awaits my return to intimacy.
During this time, as I slowly walk back into the light of God’s embrace, I’ve found comfort in David’s words in Psalms. David, a man of God, certainly had his phases. Yet he continually returned to the Lord knowing his need for grace and a loving God. I’m beginning my journey back to knowing Christ more intimately. How do you need to return to him? Let David’s praise encourage you:
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
—Psalm 116:1–2, 5–9 (NIV)
Comments
this is a great pick me up for those who have felt that you have left your first love.Who who have thoughtat times that they have failed God or themselves. Be Blessed!
Posted By: Avis Poyer | September 3, 2011 5:02 PM
Praise God, you have no idea how much I needed this encouragement. God is good. Thank you
Posted By: Sylvia | March 8, 2012 8:11 AM