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Disconnected?
By Bishop David Bryan
March 31, 2014
If I’m not saying it myself, I hear others expressing it often: a sense of being distant or disconnected from the Lord. You know what I’m talking about… spiritual blahs, indifference, no joy. Those in ministry can easily find themselves doing so much for the Lord, that He gets lost in the shuffle! How does this happen and what does one do about it? What does the season of Lent offer us on this journey?
First, we need to recognize that we often battle with a consumer mentality in our spiritual lives. We tend to think (incorrectly) that it is the church’s place to keep us vitally connected to the Source of life; a kind of vendor-consumer relationship. Or we depend on someone else’s spiritual vitality to spill over into us. However, there is in Scripture, a consistent engagement of the believer’s will that puts the responsibility squarely on each of us. No one else can do for you what only you can do. And this is one of those areas of life where this is true.
Jesus said “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33) and “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7). The apostles continued this emphasis when they encouraged believers to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:7-8a) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:6-7). There is encouragement here for us to take personal responsibly for our spiritual vitality.
All of this is an act of faith. When we take the responsibility to seek God in the face of our need, our spiritual dryness, we are acting in faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
The reason why this invitation to seek, to draw near, to persist in our pursuit of God succeeds is because of God’s ultimate pursuit of us in Christ. If he were not seeking and pursuing us, our search would be hopeless. But He has and is!
Lent begins with a focus on self-examination, fasts, and commitments to pray and to read God’s word. Lent ends with the cross of Christ. Jesus has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Our responsibility is in truth, simply the “ability to respond”, to God’s saving work in Christ Jesus.
If you are experiencing a spiritual valley, don’t look for someone or something else to end it. Look to Christ. Seek Him with all your heart. He’s been seeking you all along.
The Rt. Rev. David Bryan is a PEARUSA bishop
