Going Through The Motions If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 I experienced real depression some years ago when all I wanted to do was just to lie in bed and just be lazy. It was painful to dress for work, to smile, to concentrate on other things except myself; I was just going through the motions. I was not physically ill, nor was I suffering from the burnt-out syndrome. It was not physical tiredness or exhaustion. I allowed the crucibles I was facing to almost get the better of me. As a Christian, I sometimes go through the motions in my spiritual experience. I become careless in spending time with my Heavenly Father; walking, talking and working together. During these times, I read the scriptures, but did not pause long enough for The Holy Spirit to speak to me and teach me God’s way. My prayers were sometimes hasty, or if not, I may fall asleep while praying or my mind would stray on other things and not the prayer being prayed. At worst, my prayers sounded rehearsed as there was no heart connection with Heaven’s throne room. To top it all off, my interest in spiritual things waned and going to church felt more like a ritual. I believe there are many persons who shared similar experience of going through the motions at some time in their Christian walk. This is a terrible experience and certainly worst than any clinical depression because if not corrected early, it could cost your soul. It’s never okay to play church or obey just because you’re afraid of parents or the consequences that will follow. While this may seem okay, a heart saturated with the love of Jesus Christ will respond with joy to come before His presence with thanksgiving and to enter His courts with praise. When true conversion is wrought in the heart, you will find yourself wanting to spend more and more time in His presence. His words will become so sweet in your mouth and you can’t help but share it! When out of love you surrender your heart to Love, you will be singing as the days go by. It truly becomes personal. The change is seen, felt, and will affect all those who come near. I thank God for a second chance. He took me out of going through the motions and into looking forward to spending time with Him. I confessed my sins and He forgave me. He forgave the foolish child I had become. Do you think you are going through the motions in your Christian walk? Do you find yourself obeying more out of duty than out of love for God? Do you find you are forsaking the assembling of yourself with God’s children? Do you sometimes plan that you will not be in Church for no particular reason? No matter what you are experiencing now, you do not need to go through the motions. Tell it all to Him and He will give you joy, a joy that keeps you singing. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Spend more quality time with Him. Talk with Him and listen to Him. He is always there waiting to share with you. Let it be personal. Dear Father, thank you so much for wanting to have a personal relationship with us. Please help us to always remember that in Your presence there is fullness of joy and at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Draw us with the chords of love and keep us close to You we pray, in Jesus’ name, amen. Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine August 18, 2013. youtube/watch?v=Bn6FICgoJqc
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 06:19:35 +0000