To the Christian... (On Complacency)
It has become noticeably evident that I have grown increasingly complacent. The fire and excitement that I once possessed at being a new creation have since given way to a fluctuation of moods. From euphoric to frustrated, from oppressed to defensive, and undersired to misunderstood. All of this instabilty has led to a great sense of exhaustion. I have been attempting to diagnose this lack of motivation for many months now, making progress in tiny increments. Tonight, however increments have gradually given way to ground earned in progress for truth.
Through reflection of recovery and concentration of the Holy Spirit, I have been earnestly able locate a sense of reproach in relevance to my spiritual complacency. It all concedes to mere logic. After all, life as a whole boils down to it's causes and effects. Even in pursuit of Christ-like stature does our spirit revolve around boring old logic.
Logic dictates that, when one discovers a new found indulgence, typically one gravitates toward the new pleasure in ever enclosing time periods. For the connoisseur this is food. For the alcoholic this is his next drink, to the user their drug, and to the promiscuous their lasciviousness. However we all know that sustained over a course of time the desired effect becomes less and one beckons for something more. Food becomes bland, drinks rise in their number, drugs become harder, and sex becomes darker. This also takes place in our spiritual walk with Christ.
For it is upon my complacency I note the normality building, and the excitement of my now daily schedule losing it's effect. It is now that I inquire "How...? How do I get back to where I once was? How do I harness the exhilaration of spirit once more? How do I make new what is now weathered?"
It is to this notion I simply put, "Deem old that of what is used, and embark to discover what new waits." It is at the point of complacency that we must TAKE STEPS FORWARD! God instilled the complacent spirit within us so that we may use logic to know what to do next. Do not look to man for your next step, but seek through prayer where God is calling you. Also do not be surprised when you are seemingly led through a minefield, I cannot give you advice nor can any man navigate you through. It is only the Holy Spirit who is able to guide, which should now bring you to a point of recognizing your acknowledgement and obedience to the Spirit. This is between you and God.
Spiritual complacency is also in fact extremely dangerous. It is what causes us to easily become tempted. Just as the addict rationalizes their relapse, so you will when in the grip of sin. Recognize complacency as an abnormality in your faith. A stumbling block between you and spiritual growth. Note that it is not a barrier between you and God, just merely a period of emotion exploited by the enemy, instilled by God. The devil has no authority of one in Christ, however he may sway one's decision to live as Christ by capitalizing on this complacency.
To break this lull we must often do what we most certainly avoid. Being more active in faith requires us to act more soundly in love. This love is to be applied to our grumbling spirits first, then to those around us. To our noisy neighbors, and friends who have betrayed us. To the ones who have abused us and the organizations that demean us. To grow in faith, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Only stopping to give thanks for the hardship.
I do not speak as one who knows. I only speak as one who is illustrating a portrayal before me. My openness is what grants acknowledgement to the spirit, through my recovery and willingness to submit. I am no scholar, I am no priest, I am a drug addict with a laptop given new life who has encountered a dulling of the all consuming flame. I share with you for my own recovery, for my own lesson, and for my own benefit. Pray now that I am shown a revelation on behalf of my spiritual growth. That my dedication and obedience shall ascend to a higher level, and my willingness to serve never grows complacent.
Through reflection of recovery and concentration of the Holy Spirit, I have been earnestly able locate a sense of reproach in relevance to my spiritual complacency. It all concedes to mere logic. After all, life as a whole boils down to it's causes and effects. Even in pursuit of Christ-like stature does our spirit revolve around boring old logic.
Logic dictates that, when one discovers a new found indulgence, typically one gravitates toward the new pleasure in ever enclosing time periods. For the connoisseur this is food. For the alcoholic this is his next drink, to the user their drug, and to the promiscuous their lasciviousness. However we all know that sustained over a course of time the desired effect becomes less and one beckons for something more. Food becomes bland, drinks rise in their number, drugs become harder, and sex becomes darker. This also takes place in our spiritual walk with Christ.
For it is upon my complacency I note the normality building, and the excitement of my now daily schedule losing it's effect. It is now that I inquire "How...? How do I get back to where I once was? How do I harness the exhilaration of spirit once more? How do I make new what is now weathered?"
It is to this notion I simply put, "Deem old that of what is used, and embark to discover what new waits." It is at the point of complacency that we must TAKE STEPS FORWARD! God instilled the complacent spirit within us so that we may use logic to know what to do next. Do not look to man for your next step, but seek through prayer where God is calling you. Also do not be surprised when you are seemingly led through a minefield, I cannot give you advice nor can any man navigate you through. It is only the Holy Spirit who is able to guide, which should now bring you to a point of recognizing your acknowledgement and obedience to the Spirit. This is between you and God.
Spiritual complacency is also in fact extremely dangerous. It is what causes us to easily become tempted. Just as the addict rationalizes their relapse, so you will when in the grip of sin. Recognize complacency as an abnormality in your faith. A stumbling block between you and spiritual growth. Note that it is not a barrier between you and God, just merely a period of emotion exploited by the enemy, instilled by God. The devil has no authority of one in Christ, however he may sway one's decision to live as Christ by capitalizing on this complacency.
To break this lull we must often do what we most certainly avoid. Being more active in faith requires us to act more soundly in love. This love is to be applied to our grumbling spirits first, then to those around us. To our noisy neighbors, and friends who have betrayed us. To the ones who have abused us and the organizations that demean us. To grow in faith, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Only stopping to give thanks for the hardship.
I do not speak as one who knows. I only speak as one who is illustrating a portrayal before me. My openness is what grants acknowledgement to the spirit, through my recovery and willingness to submit. I am no scholar, I am no priest, I am a drug addict with a laptop given new life who has encountered a dulling of the all consuming flame. I share with you for my own recovery, for my own lesson, and for my own benefit. Pray now that I am shown a revelation on behalf of my spiritual growth. That my dedication and obedience shall ascend to a higher level, and my willingness to serve never grows complacent.
Comments
Post a Comment