Ever have a day when you just didn’t want to think too deeply?  No wrestling with heart issues.  No soul searching.  No dealing with heavy responsibilities.  Just do the easy stuff.  Coast along just this one day without concerning yourself with the battle.  Do the mundane or the urgent, but don’t attempt the spiritual heavy lifting.  I had a day like that yesterday.  I should have been writing this week’s blog article, but I wasn’t willing to grapple with the hard thing.  I didn’t want to quiet my heart and mind and wait for God to guide my thinking to a topic.  I wanted to do the human stuff and not trouble myself with eternity.  I wasn’t hungering and thirsting after righteousness.  

I went to bed empty and as I lay awake I remembered hearing our pastor say that he had to ask God to restore his soul.  I knew that’s exactly what I needed.  So I prayed that and fell asleep.  When I awoke before daybreak, I felt my prayer had been answered.  My first thoughts were about my prayer and I knew God saw my need and graciously turned my heart back to him.  I yearned for him.  I wanted to write my blog.  I wanted to meditate.  

Fortunately, Husband and I have spiritual routines built into our day that help anchor me and keep me from drifting too far.  We always pray and read Scripture out loud together in the morning. We always talk about how good God is to us and we talk about the verses we read and what they mean in our lives.  I’m grateful for these habits that focus us on our great, happiness-giving God. Most days I talk to the Lord throughout the day and I think about ways I can contribute to others.  But sometimes I just drift unaware of the eternal perspective the rest of the day.

So what do we do when we’re in a spiritual funk?  When the fire is burning low.  When we’re weary from not seeing prayers answered.  When we just want to hide.  When we want to be comfortable.  When we’re discouraged.  When taking care of others is too much work?

When we want to do our thing just one day?  

First of all, the Lord intends for us to have rest time apart from heavy responsibilities.  Don’t think you’re being unspiritual when you need a break.  Thank God for the relaxation, change of pace, or time for pursuing your own interests.  It’s a gift from him.  Include him by thanking him for the break and being grateful for each delight no matter how small.  Don’t feel guilty for enjoying the good gifts he gives us!   He’s a loving Father who lavishes gifts on us and is happy that we enjoy them.  He wants to be thanked, of course, and be included in our enjoyment just like we do as parents.  We shouldn’t grab the gifts and run.  Or take them for granted feeling entitled to all these generous gifts.  Being aware of the Giver and being thankful actually increases our enjoyment and satisfaction.  It brings glory to the Father and fills us with happiness.  (I just have to ask myself if I’m resting and thanking my kind boss.  Or am I running and hoping he doesn’t notice?)

Here is what I do when I catch myself drifting:

I run to Jesus and admit my need. He wants to help us.  He certainly doesn’t want us to wander away.  He’s the good shepherd and wants us close so he can lead us to still waters and green pastures where he restores our souls.  

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:1-3

I tell him I want the happiness that comes from being eager for him.

“Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.”  Matthew 5:6

I tell him I know that even the desire for God comes from him.  I can’t generate it on my own.  It’s a God thing.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”  Philippians 2:13

I get to work obeying what I know he wants me to do, knowing the strength and ability come from him.

I spend time with people who are actively seeking God as shown by their attitudes, words, and actions.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:24-25