Getting Right With God

I'm not a strategic person - preferring to go where life leads me. But today's message in the 'Everyday Wisdom' book that I'm reading made me realise that this is not a good way to go about life.

After all, I have only 1 life to live. I need to make it count. So whether I like it or not, I need to set goals - not only for this year but for the rest of my life. The thing is, on my own, I don't really know what is it that would qualify as a great achievement. But one thing I know, it has to be done hand in hand with my Maker. For anything I do that is not His purpose for me will be futile and brings short-lived satisfaction.

During the Watchnight service, when the tsunami prayer items came up, I prayed because I had to. Yes, I felt sad for their sufferings. But at the same time, I felt quite removed from it. This was very much in contrast to when the prayer items for the youth in church came up. I prayed with much fervency and passion because as a youth cell leader, I have come to care for them and can identify with the struggles that they face.

It was then that I realised that something had crept unknowingly into my heart, making it cold towards people that were not in my own world. I started re-evaluating where I am spiritually and I did not like what I see. I remembered the times when I was so close to God and would weep and intercede fervently when I read about single mothers and aborted children. I couldn't relate to what they must be going through. But because I was so connected to God then, His grieve and compassion flooded my heart and I just prayed and prayed.

For quite a while now, I have been coming to church celebrations because I had to. I wasn't touched by the worship nor sermons but it was fine with me. Didn't bother reflecting on the whys nor the wherefores. I guess that's why it's important for Christians to go regularly to church. It's like a spiritual thermometer. When you go to a gathering in the house of God and are left virtually untouched or unchanged, you can bet that something is not right with you spiritually. Don't be too quick to blame it on the boring worship or sermon or the people sitting next to you!

And once that realisation came, I began to enjoy last week's celebration and was listening to the powerful sermon with an open heart. I repented from letting a lot of things to distract my heart and take my time away from seeking His face. And the 14-day Prayer and Fast couldn't come at a better time. What a great way to start the year - getting right with God.

It's just so easy to be dry spiritually. So it's good to take a check on our spiritual pulse regularly. Having spiritual buddies help somewhat but they can only do so much. The onus is on us to get ourselves right with God.