This past Sunday I taught a S.S. lesson about how easy it is to slowly slide away from God. Not a fall-off-the-cliff experience. No fist-shaking, "I am made at you God" tirade. Nothing close to the impudence of Jonah. A few extra snooze buttons. Going to shift quiet time/blog entries to the evening. I'll just do my prayer time when I am walking the dog this morning. All of a sudden it is a week without any blog entry, little Bible student, and few effectual prayer times.
For me the most deceptive of this type of distancing from God is the lack of any real "sin" involved. It is very easy to justify all the other activities. Additional sleep- gotta' be rested for work. An extra chapter read at night- at least it it not television. Lights out 30 minutes early- need a few extra winks just tonight.
But just like quitting an exercise program or eating nothing but Twinkies, at first there was some sense of "ahhhh" and relief, but it was not long before the distance from God created a sense of unease. However, never being one to give up easily, as I continued to prioritize other things above God time, it became more and more the norm, as opposed to the exception. It wasn't long before I no longer even thought about the time wasted on other things.
Then Les had to be out of town and ask me to teach the stupid S.S. lesson and the conviction started all over. Only this time, I listened and am starting to retrain myself in the spiritual disciplines. I know it won't be easy. Sports Center will still beckon in the mornings. And Law and Order reruns will still tempt after a hard day at work. But nothing good ever came easy, and easy was ever good.
Please pray for me in my return to God time.
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