Struggling to Keep Your Relationship with Christ Top Priority

Recently our pastor preached a sermon in which he talked about "Petty Wednesday." He was describing how many of us, make that MOST of us, will go to church on Sunday, be refreshed and encouraged, and go home motivated to put the sermon into practice and to have daily devotions and prayer time. Monday, most of us follow through. Tuesday, the cares of the world sneak in and we can barely find the time.

By the time Wednesday rolls around we have forgotten our Sunday commitments and are focusing on petty things. We aren't having our devotions and we are busy, busy, busy and as a result, sometimes cranky too. By the time the next Sunday rolls around we are desperately needing a spiritual boost and some food for our soul.

It's interesting how true this scenario really is. If even my pastor, who is paid to study the Word, admits struggling with "abiding in Christ" and making daily time for studying the Word and prayer, how much more do the rest of us struggle! I used to think I must be the only one who had a hard time staying strong in personal devotions. I used to think all of these other, magnificent Christians I observed had it all together and always had stellar, daily devotions. However, after 10 years of striving to keep up with devotions I no longer suffer from that delusion.

EVERYONE struggles with having meaningful daily devotions and abiding in Christ. There is a spiritual battle going on for your time because the enemy knows that if he can cut off your communication with your Father, he can render you ineffective. If you think you don't struggle in this area you must be having ritualistic devotions that are brief and ineffective; basically reading a quick devotional book blurb each morning so you can cross that off your list of things to do today and feel good about yourself.

But just as it is physically grueling and difficult to keep our bodies in shape, it is WORK to keep our spiritual lives fit as well. Jogging or hiking or biking takes effort. It takes discipline to say no to the extra dessert you want but know you shouldn't have. Anybody can lay around and become flabby and lazy, just as it's super easy to give up on time with Jesus and let Satan distract you with all kinds of things. On the contrary, it takes effort, training, discipline to build godliness into our lives.

Don't make the mistake of thinking discipline is doing more for God, or having two hour long devotional sessions each day. It's not legalism. In the words of my pastor, discipline is "being at peace--being connected to Christ." Godliness is a deep desire for, and a dependency on Jesus. It is to cease striving, unlike those in the world who are constantly doing, and reaching for satisfaction in things that never satisfy.

Our spiritual lives are serious business. Christianity isn't something we do for recreation. It's not something we "play" at. We must train ourselves in godliness. If it's important to stay physically fit, how much more important to be spiritually fit when life is short and we are to share Christ with this lost and dying world. Just as training a dog or a toddler or a horse is difficult, so it will always be an uphill fight to pursue righteousness. But don't give up! God can help you in this process.

I have found in my own life that if I am active in a close-knit Bible Study and have an accountability or a prayer partner, etc. it is easier to combat "Petty Wednesday." I am struggling even this week as I have company and much to do to keep my focus where it needs to be. But thank the Lord that He didn't call us to walk this road alone, but commands us to support and encourage one another and He gave us His Spirit to give us the power to live for Him!