“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 ( ESV)
I decided to take a bit of a sabbatical from writing last month. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and I felt that I was not spending enough time with God, and for me to properly write these devotions or do anything in life…that time with God is essential. An interesting thing happened though as I began my sabbatical, you might say I came under physical and spiritual attack. If anything could go wrong, it did.
I find it very odd that when we feel miserable it is so difficult for us to seek God and feel His presence. It is almost as if our flesh puts up a giant wall. I realized how short and mechanical my prayers had become. I also realized how hard it was to pray for others, because I was so focused on my own misery.
I also physically had trouble reading, so I stopped turning to His Word as my life raft. I will admit, it took me a day or two to fully realize what was happening here. With all the distractions – physically, mentally, and spiritually – I was starting a slow fade.
Mark Hall, front man for the band Casting Crowns, said that a slow fade marks the regression that happens when Christians aren’t living intentionally. He explained it this way:
People don’t crumble in a day. You don’t fall; you fade. In your mind, there’s that pride that says ‘I’d never do that’… but you don’t just do it, it’s a slow, series of compromises, little ones that go there eventually, until you’re sitting in a place you’d never go, doing something you’d’ never do… and yet the way you’re living totally makes sense to you somehow because you’re so numb.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 ( ESV)
The distractions in our lives will lead us away from the one thing we need more than anything else in this world – Our God. We can all fall victim to our distractions and not realize that we are slipping from God’s presence. We must keep talking, and walking with our God. We must keep praying, even when we can’t muster the energy or it feels forced. We must open our hearts and humbly come before our Lord, our God.
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-14 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, We lift ourselves up to You today. Lord You are our Savior. You are everything. Help us oh Lord. Help our souls, our hearts and our minds stay on You. You are our first love Lord God. Help us to see the distractions in our lives and help us to come back to You. Lord we just want to be in Your presence all the days of our lives. Help us to keep from the slow fade Lord, open our eyes and our hearts to where we stand, so that it may always be with You in your temple. Father we ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
By Rev. Daniel Forster
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• Continuous Partial Attention Is your prayer time undistracted?
• A Bible Study on Waiting on God By Sylvia Gunter
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