I was outside with my 5 year old daughter the other day and she wanted to kick around the soccer ball. So I went outside with her and proceeded to run around the yard after this little ball. It was not very long that I was out of breath and my legs began to wear out. I always thought of myself as a pretty athletic person and never thought I would have such an issue just running around the yard kicking a ball. I came inside and mentioned to my wife that it might be time to get back into a gym. Back a few years ago, I got really serious about working out and was in the best shape I had ever been in. I was sleeping better, eating better and had so much energy that benefitted me in getting a lot more done. For some reason or another I stopped going as often and then before I knew it, I was no longer working out or doing any form of physical exercise. What had happened? I really can’t explain it any other way except I gave up. It was almost like I thought I had worked out enough and it was going to last me for the rest of my life. Well we all know that is not how it works. We have to subject our bodies to some form of activity if we want to avoid gaining weight. Which leads to more issues and can be very dangerous if we do not find a way to keep fit. Eating right, exercising and avoiding bad habits are vital to having a healthy body. I don’t think anyone would argue with me on that point….
Now, just like our physical bodies, our spirit needs to be nurtured, fed and “worked out “on a daily basis to grow and strengthen. I can remember a time in my life where I felt like I had done enough to keep me good for a long time and so I stopped studying the Word, and I stopped praying and I even stopped going to church. I had done it for most of my life so why would it not just carry over and sustain me? This action or lack of action had devastating effects on my life. It put a strain on my marriage and I was all but out of the ministry.
I had an opportunity to share salvation with someone and I could not remember key points and scriptures and I felt like a failure, just like I felt tired and out of shape when I was running around the yard with my daughter. I was in no shape to be telling anyone about God and something needed to change right away. I made a decision it was time to get back to the Gym (church) and began getting my spirit back in shape. Before long, I was remembering and being able to apply biblical principles to situations around me and for the first time in a long time, I was back on the way to being Spiritually Alive again.
I am back in the Gym now and working out on a regular basis and it’s not easy. My body is not used to this physical activity, but there will be a day when my body will be able to withstand these challenges and will be able to be strengthened and I will be running around the yard and playing with my kids without feeling like I need to lay down immediately afterwards.
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you” and Jeremiah 29:13 states, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Sin always separates us from God. We are reunited with God and he comes nearer to us, by repenting from wrongs that we have done and seeking forgiveness. We are able to come boldly before his throne (face-to-face with him) and receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
One of the fastest ways to draw near to Jesus is through spending time in prayer. Getting close to God occurs when we decide to pursue the place where he dwells. Jesus retreated from the crowds of people often to lonely locations to communion with his heavenly father through prayer.
By reading God’s word he will speak to us. Drawing near to his voice in this way is an easy way of getting close to him.
If you have been feeling distant from the Lord, he is not far away. In actual fact, he has said that he will never leave you. No one can snatch you from his hands and nothing can separate you from his love. Take some to time to draw near to God right now through prayer.
If you have been feeling like you are far away from Jesus, how will you draw near to God today? The Bible declares that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people, Psalms 22:3. We enter into a place where God draws near to us, by spending time praising Him!
Can I Get a Witness?
Keith
