It's when we cease to long - that the battle gets down right scary.....down right serious.
It's when Psalm 42:1 is missing - that we find ourselves walking in the thick brush of enemy territory.
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so my soul pants for you, O God. (Psalm 42:1, ESV)
Make no mistake.....when the longing for Him is lost - that's when we begin to lose.
When the desire for the Divine dwindles - that's when we're desperate.
We can grope around in the world for a while - we can dance with doubt a few rounds....
but when your heart isn't even searching....oh, that's when.
That's when the weary should wail for faith warriors to come - to lift up
petitions and storm the gates of Heaven on the lost's behalf.
Blow the whistles. Ring the bells. Hoot. Holler. Scream. Beg. Make a complete ruckus. Make an absolute idiot of yourself if you have to....
Because like the good preacher eluded to on Sunday....
Sometimes...healing comes when you finally decide to get humble.
When you get all bare and unprotected and revealed - when the light's illuminating it all.....that's when we overcome.
Listen....
My faith is too feeble for fake.
I can't afford to front here friends.
I've got to have the real Jesus. Empty rituals and man-made routines and absent-minded traditions....those things won't do. Those things don't woo a doubter.
He's the only one that can do that.
His Spirit is the only thing that can convince a calloused and grown over soul to soar again.
So if you're finding yourself in a state of stagnation - where you don't even desire for the rivers to flow anymore......find yourself some pray-ers and get yourself some prayer.
Because He'll hear. And He'll come. And He'll rescue you right where you are.
Remember...He left the 99 sheep to go after the 1 that had wondered away. Yes He did.
As I pull out of this pit of cynicism and unbelief - I see that the constant prayers of a husband and the faithful petitions from friends - have reached His listening ear.
Because He's whispering in mine again.
