When just okay is not enough

I'm not talking about school, work or maybe even life itself. I mean your spiritual walk. Do ever feel like that? Like you are just doing the church thing but not growing or feeling spiritual. It's funny how even after a very spiritual high experience we can get into a rut. I really don't know how this happens but it has happened to me more times than I can count. Wouldn't it be nice to be close to God and stay that way? Think back to a time that you just felt so close to God that you never wanted it to end. Maybe you felt like it never would end, but here you are, just doing the church thing, not fired up or motivated to even try. I think that is an honest question that needs an answer. You see I am there right now. I have been in an awesome spiritual high for the last two or three months and after the unforgettable DNOW we had, here I am, fighting to grasp hold of God. I think I am starting to understand why these things happen. Maybe this is just the answer for me, but can I share why I personally think this happens?

First, I think it helps us grow. How, you may ask? I really don't think that our faith grows by staying on the mountain. I really believe spiritual growth happens when we go through some tough stuff. I believe it makes us reach out to God more. It makes us hungry for Him, maybe thirst for Him. There have been times that I even doubted Him(sorry God!), doubted my salvation, and doubted the church. But sometimes it makes me desire a closer walk with Him. That seems to be happening more in my life now, the older, I mean more mature I get. I realize that I am usually the culprit. Which leads me to my second theory about why this happens.

Number two, we get in the way. None of us are like the great Paul. He was a full time missionary, preacher, church starter, witnessing machine. But even Paul had his times of hardship. I think he was no different than any of us as far as our walk goes. Listen to what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12;7-8 (New International Version)
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surprisingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. That's amazing to me, even Paul asked God to take away his problems but He(God) never did! Like I said, I think spiritual growth happens when we go through some hard spiritual times.

Third, when good things happen, there are always those that take notice. What do I mean? I think when God starts working so does someone else. Look at another set of scripture from Paul

Ephesians 6:12 (New International Version)
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. That's right forces of evil will begin to try and distract, tempt, and persuade us away from God. So what do we do? Well, first of all never quit. The worst thing we can do is give up. Are you a fighter? If God is more precious than anything else to you, you will fight through this. I know I am. I'm going to fight harder than I ever have to try and weather this valley that I am going through. I AM TIRED OF GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS!!! I want more!!

Have you noticed the new song I put on this blog at the bottom? It is an awesome song by Matthew West. Listen to it one time and watch the video. He had a major throat surgery which could have been career threatening for a singer. For a year he had to keep silent. After you listen to it once, play it again and close your eyes. Let it be your prayer, right now, just pray that song. Are you tired of going through the motions?