When You’re Tempted to Drift - Your Nightly Prayer - September 7
When You’re Tempted to Drift
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” - Hebrews 2:1
SOMETHING TO PONDER
It starts very slowly. At the start, it is so subtle we may not even notice. There are no particularly noticeable changes. We take a day or two away from our personal devotion time – our schedules are just too busy, and we struggle to find time. After all, a day or two away won’t hurt. But a day or two turns into a week, and our schedules stay just as busy. Maybe then we stop praying as much during the day or at bedtime because we are so tired.
It isn’t as if one day you woke up and decided to step away from God. But suddenly you find that you have stopped prioritizing God’s word and sitting down to pray. But the currents of your life – busyness, financial stress, the kids and their activities, the chores, the meals…it adds up. And like an unanchored, untethered boat, we begin to drift away from shore – drift away from God. Oh, we still believe, for sure…but suddenly Christ is no longer the firm foundation.
Spiritual drift. Your faith and your commitment are not quite where they had been. Suddenly, now life seems to have just gotten in the way – and you let it. You rarely spend time in the Word now or pray – and when you do pray, your prayers seem shallow. Maybe even a bit procedural. Empty. Maybe you wonder, “Is God even listening?”
There are times in everyone’s life when we feel hopeless and joyless. Or when we felt like there was chaos all around us. In Revelation 2:4, in His letter to the church in Ephesus, Jesus tells them they have forgotten their first love. They had drifted as a church – something we see too many examples of even today.
Spiritual drift is a danger – a threat – to every Christian. The writer of Hebrews writes a warning for us all – including himself. It says, “We must pay the most careful attention.” “We” is all-inclusive. Whether the cause is unanswered prayers, or prayers that weren’t answered in the way we had hoped, or some other trial we are going through. Whether it’s a financial struggle, the busyness of life, or giving in to societal and worldly pressures, we each must vehemently guard against drift.
When we feel ourselves slipping – even slightly – pay attention. Go back to your time in the Word. Go back to your time speaking to God – even if you feel you have little to say, sit in silence and let Him speak to your heart while the Holy Spirit lifts up prayers for you. (Romans 8:26-27)
But, if or when we do drift, what can bring us back to a foundation of complete joy, peace, and trust is the message brought to us by Christ Jesus. The message of eternal hope and trust in Him. The message that caused you to give your life to Him to begin with. There is no decision more important than that which you make to return home to Jesus.
Every day we make a choice: to either draw closer to God or to let ourselves drift away with the currents this world – this life – brings upon us. Choose to pay very careful attention. Choose to stay anchored at the shoreline, where you will find the peace, joy, and the comfort of Jesus’ loving arms. Remember, like the father of the prodigal son, the Lord is watching for us. Waiting for us with open arms to return to Him.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father in heaven, I realize that I have let myself slowly drift away, and I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I ask for your Holy Spirit to help me return to you, to return to where I was and beyond. I know I am held closely by you, and you were waiting for me to recognize how I had drifted away. I thank you for your forgiveness and for bringing me back. Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
Head. Search yourself and be honest. It is not easy to acknowledge that you have drifted, but being honest with yourself is the first step.
Heart. Sit down and ask God for forgiveness. You already know He is faithful and waiting for your return with open arms.
Act. Recommit yourself to spending time in prayer and in God’s Word, to church community, and to serving those around you.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: evgenyata
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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