If you haven’t read my last post (here) then I encourage you to do so first. I am taking a few days away with my wife in Madison, IN and just relaxing. I went for an early morning ride and rode new roads, climbed one hill twice and then had to do another one on the way back. The hills are great! One was long and taxing and the other taxing after doing the other twice. I loved it! While mileage is important, it isn’t in this case. Quality is. But that got me thinking about my own spiritual life. It is so easy to allow a relationship with Jesus to grow stale, to look at the longevity and forget about the quality of that relationship. It really doesn’t matter who it is (pastor, pastor’s wife, teacher, elder, etc) or how long it has been going on, it can happen to anyone. It is sort of like getting something new as a gift and being excited about it, but then as time moves on it loses its luster. I am in the process of trying to “refresh” my relationship with Jesus. As I think about that, I can’t get a song out of my head. Please take a listen before you automatically say, “Oh a song. Delete or move on.” It packs a punch.
It’s more than a wish, more than a daydream
More than just a passing whim
Yes, I’ve said this all before
A thousand times or more
I don’t wanna waste my life in chains of sin
CHORUS
I don’t wanna be, I don’t wanna be a casual Christian
I don’t wanna live, I don’t wanna live a lukewarm life
But I wanna light up the night
With an everlasting light
I don’t wanna live the casual Christian life
This life is filled with strong distractions
With pulls from the left one from the right
I’ve already made up my mind
Gonna leave this world behind
Gonna live my life a living sacrifice.
How is your spiritual life these days? Are you doing any renovating? What are you doing to make it happen? I know I am and hopefully soon will be able to tell you how I am coming along.
Bill, I can’t see the video (it’s blocked on my work computer), but I very much like the words to the song.
I’d definitely say there’s some renovation going on, but not sure I’m doing it. God has me in a challenging place of stepping out of comfortable patterns and pushing for more. I didn’t ask for renovation, per se, but I did ‘not my will, yours be done’ and He got to work.
Thanks Bill. Great to reflect on these things.
Jason: sounds like we are kindred spirits right now. You are in my daily prayers and would appreciate the same. Stay willing.
I chose the wrong vocation. I built bridges for 33 years and took most my vacations in pay to make ends meet. How many days do you get off in a years time? Just saying:-)
Oops…forgot about your actual post. If we keep going back to the cross each day…and really believe what took place….He becomes our most precious treasure. When that happens….everything else falls into place.
I get two weeks off and take them a little at a time whenever my wife can get hers.
I agree about going back to the cross but sometimes a little “brushing up” helps.
I love the song by D and K. It played a large part in my past and it is a great reminder of the need of renovations that need to be made.
That being said reminded me of the song by Shaun Groves – Welcome Home -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRMyAPW0bDg
Glad it meant something to you Jim. Funny how sometimes songs stick with us. Will check out the video when I get an opp.
I feel the need for a recharge moment…trying to make the time for solitude and reflection. Thanks for the song and the reminder bro’
Praying for you.
Thank you Jay for your prayers. They are much appreciated right now.
I strive day in and day out not to be a casual Christian. It doesn’t matter what position a person holds, like you’ve said, a relationship with Jesus can go stale. It’s in our own interest to always remember our first love, the One who loved us first before the foundations of the world.
Thought-provoking post today. Thanks pastor Bill.
You’re welcome Jaycee. It is a day in and day out struggle. Hope you are doing well.