The Lull
Do you ever find yourself in a spiritual lull? Sometimes I find myself in a place of inactivity spiritually. I don’t know if you ever experience this yourself but it happens to me quite a bit. It seems like it comes every three or four weeks. It is frustrating because I start feeling a million miles away from Christ. The truth is Christ is at the same place He has always been but I have drifted. Every time this happens to me I can trace it back to one of two things. Either I am too busy or I have compromised in some area of my life. Here is how I get back to a place of intimacy.
First, I acknowledge that I have drifted. I don’t try to convince myself that I haven’t. I just own up to it immediately.
Second I don’t try to justify my behavior. I tell myself that it is unhealthy and that I must get back to a healthy place with Christ.
Third I talk it out with the Lord. Over and over I pray small prayers of confession and ask Christ to help me get back to that sweet place of intimacy.
This is how I wake up from a spiritual lull. Does this ever happen to you?
Romans 13:11
And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
It certainly happens to me – that lull. I fight it hard! I’m so new in my recommitment to the Lord that I’m keenly aware of where I’m at with my Savior and when that lull happens it’s downright frightening for me. Because I know how I am, and I know I can’t afford to go there if I don’t quickly get things back on the right track. I do talk to God, and pray through it. I just want to keep that fire and what helps me is my prayer life, the Word, and being around all those wonderful new excited Christians I’m around as well as my other brothers and sisters in Christ. We keep each other real and on track!!
Thanks for being so honest and real about this! No doubt it will help people.
It really helps me to be very specific in confessing my sins. I do this for a couple of reasons. The first; I am not fooling God…He knows and it’s just ridiculous for me not to recognize such and just come off with it. I owe it to Him to recognize the sin and confess it specifically. The second (and this is a struggle for me); I want to get a better grip on the bigger problem. “Lord, forgive me for (insert sin here). I committed this sin because I am failing in this area (insert sin here). It seems like some of the sins that I commit are indicative of a constant underlying problem that I haven’t completely repented from. If I do not repent from the underlying, spiritually destructive behavior I will fall into a lull. It’s like pulling a weed but leaving part of the root. And that stinks.
I like these blogs. If you are reading this now, then you probably like them too. I was a little intimidated to post anything at first. I value Jimmy’s opinion so much and I didn’t want to be embarrassed. He is so smart and a great Pastor. Then I thought “remember some of the bone head things he has said over the years, blogging on his material can’t be that bad.” Also, he may be excited about learning some things from you. So…..If I have to share one of his boneheaded statements to make you feel comfortable I will. He may moderate it out though but it’s good stuff. I am thinking of one such time right now
Keep the bone head things to yourself Shannon!
I have come to accept that there will be times “the lull” will occur. Even the greatest of the spiritual giants (like yourself) are vulnerable, it’s called being human. That is why your advice is so important, to bring us back to the center of life…Jesus.
The thing that keeps Him in the center for me is to practice His presence by inviting Him into the events of day. If I can bring Him into each encounter, each thought and each attitude then maybe I can reflect His character to others. But this practice centers upon me finding the time for solitude and silence. Not “alone time” so I can read or study, but simply to “be still and know that He is God.” (Ps. 46:10) In the silence, void of distractions, He can pull out all the garbage I have taken in over the week and replace it with His peace and grace.
Great topic Jimmy. Love the blog!