.jpeg)
.jpg)
I think one of the biggest obstacles that Christians have in their faith is our feelings. Our culture is constantly teaching us to do what feels good, what feels right, and what we feel like doing. This has seeped into our faith, and if we don't feel like spending time with God, reading our Bible, praying, or going to church, many times, we simply don't. And that's a problem.
Sometimes, though, we find ourselves going through the motions of spending time with the Lord without ever feeling like it. I've experienced seasons where I never actually want to get into the Word or pray, and that's hard too. It makes your faith feel like an obligation instead of a relationship.
So how do you actually want to be with Jesus? How do you grow your appetite for the Lord?
If I'm being honest, sometimes you just have to do it.
You won't always feel like doing the things that you should do or that are good for you - like working out, doing your homework, or cleaning. Just because you don't want to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Part of being a Christian is having discipline, which means to "train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way", according to the dictionary. We have to get in the habit of reading our Bibles, praying, and going to the church because it's what God has asked of us and has taught us is crucial to our faith.
But God also doesn't want us just checking off the boxes of our faith. He designed us for a relationship with Him, and He doesn't ask us to do these things to add more to our to-do list. Our Father desires to be with us, and I think He also wants us to desire to be with Him too. This relationship is a two way street.
If you've been feeling like your appetite for the Lord is dwindling or non-existent, then I would challenge you to pray and ask Him to open up your heart to be aware of His presence. Ask Him to open your eyes to how He's moving around you and what He wants to teach you. This is a prayer that God will answer, even if you don't feel like the answer comes immediately or as soon as you'd like it to. Keep looking for the fingerprints of God wherever you are, and talk to others about how He's moving in their life.
Because when you get a taste of the Lord's goodness, a taste of His character and grace and kindness, you will want to experience more of it. You will grow in your desire to be with Him and love Him, because you've tasted and seen who He is. The more you are able to recognize the Lord's blessing and presence in your life, the more your heart will follow your actions and want to praise Him and spend time with Him.
Look for Jesus. When you seek Him, you will find Him. And when you find Him, you will be forever changed, and want nothing more than to continue sitting in His presence.
I'd also encourage you to re-evaluate your time with the Lord. Why are you doing it the way you are? Does it help you grow closer to the Father or are you doing it just because you think that's how it's done? There's a chance that you may be feeling burnt out by your routine and need to shake it up. Or, maybe you need to remind yourself of the whole purpose behind it - to be with Jesus.
Ask God what He wants you to do during your Bible study. Lean into Him, and He will guide you! Your Bible study will become so much more fruitful when it becomes a partnership and intentional fellowship with your Abba.
You won't always feel like doing your Bible study, but it should never be a burden. The more time you spend with the Father, truly learning about Him and being in HIs presence, the more your appetite for Him will follow. God wants to be with you, and He will grow in you a heart for Him, if you invite Him into that.
Before I end this post, I just want to say a quick prayer.
Jesus, I pray revival. I pray that You would turn our hearts closer to You than ever before and that we would have a genuine desire for You. Make us aware of Your presence and Your voice in our lives, and grow our heart for You. I pray, Jesus, that You would be the only thing we want, above anything else, and that we would long for You before we long for the things of this world. Take away any desire for things that do not honor You or bring us closer to You. I pray that You would continue teaching us to be disciplined and pursuing You intentionally, even if we don't feel like it. I praise You, Jesus, and I thank You for the gift and blessing of being able to be with You. I love You Lord! Amen.
How would you describe your appetite for the Lord? Would you consider yourself hungry for Him or are you trying to muster up a desire for Him? Let me know down in the comments below, and I'd love to pray alongside you!
Kommentare