Kingdom Chat Week #31: Rekindling Your Spiritual Devotion
“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works,…” Revelation 2:4-5
How often have you observed a couple who are newly in love with each other? The signs are obvious – smiles, laughter, joy, enthusiasm, excitement and connection, are but a few words to describe them. They look like light bulbs. Oftentimes, as relationships progress, people become too familiar with the loved one and begin to lose touch with the meaning in certain routines. A family or fellowship meeting may become just another regular social gathering with a nominal presence; eating together as couple or a family, just another lunch or dinner without the initial sparks you had; praying or bible reading becomes a religious activity without the excitement of the Spirit, the relationship becomes rusty.
Unfortunately, this was the story of the Church in our opening scriptures. I imagine they may have become so used to the fellowship routines that they probably knew the next words the leader would say, the next songs to sing that will move everyone, they knew the right spiritual jargon, the exact tone to use for the sanctimonious Hallelujah! They no longer needed to fast and pray to know the mind of God because their brains knew how to say or plan what sounded like God’s words or plans. They had become so used to God by routine that they did not realize when they lost touch with Him. They had a form of religion but denied the power thereof. They had the smoke but no fire. But Jesus looks at the sincerity of our devotion to Him.
It is needful to stress that planning routines in your spiritual life or relationships is very vital, and is not a problem in itself because it shows intentionality. It is important to set a time for prayer, to study the bible, to fellowship with believers etc. However we must not elevate the routine above the spirit of the activity, else we are left with only the container without the content. Jesus chided the religious leaders that through their traditions they have made the word of God ineffective. Every routine should constantly be appraised and lubricated to ensure it retains its genuineness, purpose and efficacy. How can we enliven our devotion to God and our relationship with one another? I will list out a few ways:
1. Honest self-examination and self-appraisal: Examine your motives, examine your passion, ask yourself the hard questions. Are your emotions sincere or just a show? Are you still as hungry or excited as you were? Do you feel burnt out? Where or when did things change?
2. Forgetting your past victories or shortcomings: Don’t be a yesterday’s champion or stuck in yesterday’s mistake. Use your past as fuel for greater accomplishments. Set aside your past and press to be better everyday. Forgive past hurts, let go of pride from past experiences.
3. Stay aflame through intentional diligence in adding new knowledge and seeking out ways to refresh your passion. This can be through fellowship with people of like minds, setting personal spiritual exercises and targets in prayer and meditation of God’s word. Don’t become to familiar with God, rather seek to know more of Him.
Can you think of some other practical ways we can rekindle or keep aflame our relationship with God and other people? Feel free to comment below.
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This discussion was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by
Ukemeobong Michael.
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This discussion was modified 10 months, 2 weeks ago by
- 3 Replies
Thank you Rachel! I really love your example of a couple planning a getaway time. I really think this is one of the most practical ways to renew our intimacy with God. Taking time out to be alone with God is not only powerful but allows us to reflect on our motives, purposes or assignment and realign them with God’s.
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