You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
There is nothing more sweet
than to sit at Your feet
listen to the words You speak
There is nothing more grand
than holding Your hand
walking with You through life’s trials
Oh the joy that is found
and the peace that abounds
when a heart is surrendered in You
There is nothing more sweet
than to just be
in Your presence all the day through.
~Marcie Bridges
©9 September 2019
Forty-two years. Some say it’s not many years of life, you’ve got a long way to go. Yet, when it comes to spirituality, forty-two years can be a long time to walk with Christ.
I’m just going to get real with you. At some point while growing up in the church, you’ve heard every sermon you think can be preached. You’ve heard the same verses used over and over with the same lessons and the same teachings. And if I could be even more transparent, searching for the motivation to go to church sometimes feels like I can’t even breathe.
Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, laments there is nothing new under the sun. Sometimes the Christian life feels empty, void of that childlike faith, and hard to live.
Then the soul gets dry and thirsty. It wants something new to hang its hat on. Something fresh. Something . . . miraculous to pierce through the wall of monotony.
There was a time, not so long ago, if the preacher or speaker asked me to turn to Hebrews chapter 11, I would tune out right away. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s the faith chapter. Or, Romans 8:38. Yes, I know all things work together for good … Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 23, Philippians 4:6-7, and etc…
(Now before you start getting onto me about being flippant and needing an attitude adjustment, please, keep reading.)
Just because it feels old, doesn’t mean it can’t be made new.
Part of the process of being made Christ-like is to have your heart, mind, and soul renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. This simply means allowing His Spirit to change the way you think and the way you respond to His Word.
So, I’ve learned to approach my spiritual walk and my attitude in a whole new way. I’m learning to ask God, “What do You have to teach me today?”
When I go to church, I’m learning to not only ask Him to show me something new, but to also give me a heart and ear to hear Him.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
If you’re having trouble finding newness of life in your Christian walk, may I make a suggestion? Ask God to make His Word alive and active in you. Beseech God for a desire for His Word. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. If you are needing a drink of water, His is the best water in the world.
God has been my God, Savior, Refuge, Redeemer, Friend, and so much more for 42 years. He’s still my best friend. He has seen me through a lot of good and difficult times. I’m not sure where I’d be today without Him; but then again, I don’t think I want to know.
God doesn’t want us becoming stale and stagnant in our walk with Him. I pray this week we will actively seek Him in every moment, letting Him bring newness of life and health into our lives.
From My Heart to Yours,
Marcie
Lone Tree picture provided by www.pixabay.com. Bible pictures provided by www.marciewbridges.com
Such words of inspiration, Marcie, when we feel our wells running dry in our walk with the Lord. I was just contemplating writing something similar in my next blog, featuring the oppressive heat wave (with no rain) for day upon endless day. Thanks for convicting my heart to do so!
Blessings!
OH Martha! That is awesome! Please let me know when yours is published so I can read it too. 🙂
Great post Marcie girl. We have all experienced these times. Thanks for the reminder to recognize it and then to draw near as He lifts us out of the miry clay.
God delights in our drawing near to Him. I’m so glad He never leaves nor forsakes us no matter what. Aren’t you? Thank you for your encouraging words dear friend. 🙂