A long obedience in the same direction

A student who just started in his journey with God shared to me his situation: When I started my relationship with Christ, I was so passionate to know Him. When I learned how to read God's Word, I devoured it and was so excited to "hear" from God. But these days, it's quite different. I feel as I there is something lacking in me. I am not as excited as I used to be. I'm not reading the Bible as much as I used to. Is there something wrong?

Often times we go through times when we find ourselves less "excited" about our relationship with God. I understand what you mean, because I've been there many times. For me there are reasons why we experience this. But first, let's get some things out of the way. Let's try to answer these questions:

1. Is it a sin issue? David said, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me ..." (Psalm 139:23-24). Sin no matter how big or small hinders us from entering into the presence of God. And if the answer here is yes, I encourage you to return to God, ask forgiveness for your sin and continue walking with Him in His strength. He is faithful to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Is it a relationship issue? How are your relationships with your family and your "neighbors"? Is there an unresolved conflict with another person? They can rob us of joy in the Lord. Jesus tells us that when we come to worship God, if we remember that someone has offended us, we must first go to that person who have offended us and be reconciled with them (Matthew 5:23-24).




3. Are you worried by problems? Is something bothering your mind lately? Are you worried by a pressing need? Sometimes we let our fears diminish our faith. Jesus tells us "do not worry" for the heavenly Father knows what you need (Matthew 6:25). And He goes on to say to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

4. Are you tired? Are you too busy with lots of things? Busyness and lack of time for rest and reflection rob us of energy to pursue God. Even unbalance ministry commitments can exhaust us. This is a warning sign that we're close to burning out. The Lord Jesus said, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy ladened and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Perhaps it's time to reassess your commitments and allow personal time with God be part of your daily routine again.

Now, if you have said "yes" to one of them, we may have found the reason why. But if you have said "no." No, there's no unconfessed sin, there's no conflict, I'm not worried, God will always comes through, and I'm not tired, I'm enjoying ministry. Then perhaps you've gone past the season of the "mountaintop experience" and entered a season of "long obedience" toward Christ.


Don't squat on the mountaintop

One of my favorite devotional books is "The Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. In one of his entries, he writes about how Christians often dwell in "mountaintop experiences." He relates it to the story of Jesus' transfiguration and how the disciples were so amazed and wonder-struck, by what they have witnessed. What they witnessed was something that was truly otherworldly and supernatural. But Chambers goes on to say that sometimes we are like Peter who offers to build a tent for their heavenly guests. If Peter had a choice, he wouldn't go down the mountain anymore.

I remember going to every camp and revival night as a kid, sincerely seeking God and repenting of my sin but dreading the day that when all of it was going to be over, when we go back to our daily routine. I thought if I can just live in youth camp all year long. But we know following God doesn't happen like that. Chambers writes that we are not exhaust our stay on the mountaintop, but we need to come down the mountain and engage the daily routine of life. Don't misinterpret, experiencing spiritual revival and renewal is vital, but it should fulfill it's purpose--to set us once again ready to face the challenges of life, do the commands of Christ, and empower us to do His mission.

The true test of our followership doesn't happen on the mountaintop, but on level ground--when we live with imperfect people and face the problems that affect us as a human being. Our salvation experience should not be a thing of the past, but it should always be experienced in daily life. He reveals Himself in more ways than one, not just on mountaintops but even on the plains and in the valleys.


A long obedience in the same direction

Another favorite author of mine is Eugene Peterson. He wrote a book entitled "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction". He writes that true followership is more than just bursts of enthusiasm and experiences that engage our senses, but it's a daily exercise of the will and the heart, making a decision to follow Him, please Him, one day at a time, until we see Him face to face. In short, it's more than just a feeling. To clarify, I am not discarding feelings, it's part of human experience. What I'm saying is we should not set the foundation of our commitment to Christ based on our emotions.

I am reminded how marriages are like our journey with God. There's the "honeymoon" stage where we revel on one another. Then that stage subsides and we are faced with the daily life of living with each other ... daily loving, daily committing, daily trusting, daily forgiving. Sorry to burst your bubble if you think that marriage is like a long-range boyfriend and girlfriend relationship, it's not. It's more than that, it's a covenant relationship. To have a covenant relationship with your spouse means you don't go out the back door when you don't feel the fuzzy feelings anymore. It's true that you have to fan the fire and romance in your marriage, but it is also true that there are days when you have to "bear one another in love" (Colossians 3:23). It's a lot of hard work. Our relationship with God is a daily decision to follow Him. It's daily loving, daily trusting, daily receiving forgiveness. God is not into short-term commitments, He's looking for a long-term relationship.

I am reminded of Daniel's three friends who were sentenced to be burned on the furnace for not bowing down to that golden statue (Daniel 3). What an expression of allegiene to God when they said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it ... But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:17-18). The truth is God always saves, He's always there even if we don't "feel" it. Don't bow out, don't quit when the feeling fades, walk and tread the long road towards Christ. As the old hymn that sings about Paul's encouragement to his son Timothy (2 Timothy 1:12), "I know whom I have believed, and I'm persuaded that He is able to keep which I have committed unto Him against that Day."

The question is, would you still follow God in the daily and mundane? Or would you just be a thrill-seeking Christian looking for the next mountain top experience? I would rather choose the former. It was Brother Lawrence who said, "We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed" (Practice of the Presence of God). The Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon, as the saying goes. It's not how fast you reach the goal, but how you endure to reach the finish line. The apostle Paul said, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Would you press on with all your heart, mind, soul and strength? I pray that you will commit to follow God faithfully and make a long obedience in the same direction.