Do you ever feel a bit dry?  You know, your emotions and spirit aren’t quite where they should be?  Do your heart and soul feel just a little dull?  Lukewarm?  Blah?  Ho Hum?  The other evening, I realized I hadn’t prayed since morning.  I hadn’t given God much thought during my day.  I didn’t enjoy his presence like I usually do.  I had skipped over the emails with the deep spiritual content because it would take more concentration than I could muster.  I had lighter, more ‘interesting’ things to read.  I was in drift mode.  It’s easy to go with the flow and just float along without thinking about what’s truly important. Then I read a friend’s post that reminded me that God is always willing to receive us when we turn and come back to him when we’re drifting.

This is how the Lord responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me.  .  .”  Jeremiah 15:19

“I have swept away your sins like a cloud.
    I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.
Oh, return to me,
    for I have paid the price to set you free.”  Isa 44:22. 

Oh, I know, you’re thinking that you’re not doing any bad sins like God’s people of old did.  You’re not asking favors of idols or cheating anybody.  But we sometimes get caught up into getting what we want not by sacrificing to a carved image, but by dedicating exorbitant amounts of time to our pet project to the neglect of those around us.  We sometimes cheat others by not giving them the time and attention they need.  Little ones need our undivided attention, but we’d like to text a friend.  A friend needs an hour of our time to pour out their problems to us, but we don’t think we have the time or emotional strength to help them carry their burdens. Yet we find the time and energy to do things we want to do. We can harden our hearts in tiny increments by putting our own interests ahead of others one little choice at a time.  I’ll call that hurting friend as soon as I finish this project.  I’ll check on my family member later when I’m not so busy.  I’d rather invite my friends over instead that person who needs someone to care.

“Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!

Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.

Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.”  Psalm 119:36-38

Then when we realize it, we beat ourselves up and wonder if God isn’t sick of us repeatedly slacking.  Will he take us back begrudgingly or willingly welcome us?  Doesn’t he get tired of our lackluster commitment?  My wise friend pointed out that the reason we doubt God’s unfailing love for us is because we wrongly assume he’s like us.  When our friends get too busy to nurture friendship, or they’d rather spend time with someone else we get hurt and write them off.  We move on.  But that isn’t the way God is.  He is always calling us back with open arms.  When we get a clear picture of God’s character, we’ll realize he’s far above our human capacity to forgive and renew closeness.  He is always waiting for us to come close.

Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’  Malachi 3:6  

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.”  James 4:8

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”  Romans 2:4

There are many ways I’ve found that help me get out of a funk.  Being grateful is one way.  Another is wholehearted obedience. We know God’s command is to love him and love others.  They’re inexorably intertwined.  We desperately need God to help us love others because we simply don’t have enough patience, endurance, wisdom, or self-control to do it alone.  Trying to love others drives us closer to God.  So here are some ways the Lord has pulled me out of a drift.  He is teaching me to love others by giving my time to others.  This means less time for myself, but it actually makes me happier than being selfish.
~Giving attention to family members is investing in eternity.  It’s hard to stop what I’m doing in order to give loving attention to those God has given me.  But what is a better investment?  Getting my own stuff done or making them feel valued?
~Doing mundane household chores with a cheerful heart is a way of giving love.  And putting food on the table is loving service.  Providing for our loved ones’ needs is a high calling.
~Listening to hurting people lights a fire in me to pray and read the Bible.  I can’t fix their circumstances, but I can beseech God to intervene.  I don’t have the wisdom to advise, but I can look for answers the Bible offers.
~Being available to just be a friend to someone who needs some human contact ends up blessing me.  They aren’t in a crisis, but loneliness is taking a toll on their well being.  Including them in my daily life gives them a lift and me, too.  A neighbor boy came over yesterday to chat while I deadheaded flowers.  He turned out to be a great help and we both enjoyed the company.

“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people. 
. . . they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”Jeremiah 31:33-34
“I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.”  Jeremiah 24:7