Back At It: Never Too Late
Getting Back to What Matters Most
In our spiritual journeys, it's all too easy to lose our way. Like athletes who step away from their sport or students returning from summer break, we can find ourselves out of practice in our faith. But here's the good news: it's never too late to get back at it.
Consider the story of Michael Jordan's return to basketball in 1995. After a 21-month hiatus, Jordan came back wearing number 45 instead of his iconic 23. His first game was rough, shooting just 7 of 28. But within a few games, he was dropping 55 points against the Knicks. Jordan's journey back to greatness reminds us that returning to what we once excelled at can be challenging, but with persistence, we can reclaim our passion and purpose.
This principle applies profoundly to our spiritual lives. When we drift away from our faith practices – whether it's regular church attendance, daily prayer, or Bible study – we can feel rusty and disconnected. The Bible calls this "backsliding," a gradual movement away from Christ rather than towards Him. It's not always a conscious decision; often, it happens through small choices that accumulate over time.
The disciples themselves weren't immune to this tendency. In John 21, we find seven of them returning to their old profession of fishing after Jesus' resurrection. Despite having seen the risen Lord twice before, they still struggled to recognize Him when He called out to them from the shore. This story illustrates how easy it is for us to revert to old patterns, even after profound spiritual experiences.
The Apostle Paul articulates this internal struggle beautifully in Romans 7. He describes the constant battle between wanting to do what is right and falling short: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do" (Romans 7:15, NIV). This "miserable go-round" of sin, as one commentator puts it, is a universal human experience. We want to live as God desires, but our sinful nature often gets the better of us.
So how do we break this cycle? How do we "get back at it" when we've drifted from our spiritual commitments?
The answer lies in recognizing God's unwavering faithfulness. As the beloved hymn reminds us, "Great is Thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see." God's love and mercy are constant, even when we falter. Just as Jesus waited on the shore for His disciples, ready to guide them back to their true calling, He waits for us with open arms.
The key is to turn back to Him and rediscover the passion we once had. In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus, commending their perseverance but warning them that they had "forsaken the love [they] had at first" (Revelation 2:4, NIV). His prescription? "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first" (Revelation 2:5, NIV).
This call to return to our "first love" is crucial. It's about rekindling the fire that once burned brightly in our hearts for God. When our faith was new, prayer wasn't a chore but a joy. Bible study wasn't a dry academic exercise but an exciting exploration of God's promises. Worship wasn't confined to an hour on Sunday but permeated our daily lives.
To get back to this place of spiritual vibrancy, we need to intentionally return to these foundational practices:
Remember, God hasn't changed. His love, promises, and provision remain constant. What needs to change is us – our focus, our priorities, and our commitment to walking closely with Him.
No matter how long you've been away or how far you feel you've fallen, it's never too late to start again. Like Jordan returning to the court or the disciples rediscovering their calling, you can reclaim the fullness of life found only in a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
Today is the perfect day to get back at it. Repent, return to your first love, and rediscover the joy and purpose that come from walking closely with God. Your spiritual comeback story is waiting to be written – and with God's help, it can be even more remarkable than you imagine.
As you reflect on your own spiritual journey, ask yourself: What practices or habits do I need to reclaim to reignite my passion for God? How can I intentionally "get back at it" in my faith walk today? Remember, every step back towards God is a step He celebrates.
Your return to spiritual vitality starts now.
In our spiritual journeys, it's all too easy to lose our way. Like athletes who step away from their sport or students returning from summer break, we can find ourselves out of practice in our faith. But here's the good news: it's never too late to get back at it.
Consider the story of Michael Jordan's return to basketball in 1995. After a 21-month hiatus, Jordan came back wearing number 45 instead of his iconic 23. His first game was rough, shooting just 7 of 28. But within a few games, he was dropping 55 points against the Knicks. Jordan's journey back to greatness reminds us that returning to what we once excelled at can be challenging, but with persistence, we can reclaim our passion and purpose.
This principle applies profoundly to our spiritual lives. When we drift away from our faith practices – whether it's regular church attendance, daily prayer, or Bible study – we can feel rusty and disconnected. The Bible calls this "backsliding," a gradual movement away from Christ rather than towards Him. It's not always a conscious decision; often, it happens through small choices that accumulate over time.
The disciples themselves weren't immune to this tendency. In John 21, we find seven of them returning to their old profession of fishing after Jesus' resurrection. Despite having seen the risen Lord twice before, they still struggled to recognize Him when He called out to them from the shore. This story illustrates how easy it is for us to revert to old patterns, even after profound spiritual experiences.
The Apostle Paul articulates this internal struggle beautifully in Romans 7. He describes the constant battle between wanting to do what is right and falling short: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do" (Romans 7:15, NIV). This "miserable go-round" of sin, as one commentator puts it, is a universal human experience. We want to live as God desires, but our sinful nature often gets the better of us.
So how do we break this cycle? How do we "get back at it" when we've drifted from our spiritual commitments?
The answer lies in recognizing God's unwavering faithfulness. As the beloved hymn reminds us, "Great is Thy faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see." God's love and mercy are constant, even when we falter. Just as Jesus waited on the shore for His disciples, ready to guide them back to their true calling, He waits for us with open arms.
The key is to turn back to Him and rediscover the passion we once had. In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus, commending their perseverance but warning them that they had "forsaken the love [they] had at first" (Revelation 2:4, NIV). His prescription? "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first" (Revelation 2:5, NIV).
This call to return to our "first love" is crucial. It's about rekindling the fire that once burned brightly in our hearts for God. When our faith was new, prayer wasn't a chore but a joy. Bible study wasn't a dry academic exercise but an exciting exploration of God's promises. Worship wasn't confined to an hour on Sunday but permeated our daily lives.
To get back to this place of spiritual vibrancy, we need to intentionally return to these foundational practices:
- Prioritize prayer: Make time each day to connect with God, not out of obligation, but with a desire to deepen your relationship with Him.
- Dive into Scripture: Approach the Bible with fresh eyes, seeking to understand God's heart and apply His wisdom to your life.
- Engage in worship: Let praise become a natural outpouring of your gratitude for God's blessings, both in corporate settings and private moments.
- Serve others: Remember that the church isn't about personal preferences but about encouraging and building up the body of Christ.
- Share your faith: Allow your transformed life to naturally overflow into conversations about God's love with those around you.
- Practice generosity: Give freely, recognizing that you are blessed to be a blessing to others.
Remember, God hasn't changed. His love, promises, and provision remain constant. What needs to change is us – our focus, our priorities, and our commitment to walking closely with Him.
No matter how long you've been away or how far you feel you've fallen, it's never too late to start again. Like Jordan returning to the court or the disciples rediscovering their calling, you can reclaim the fullness of life found only in a vibrant relationship with Jesus.
Today is the perfect day to get back at it. Repent, return to your first love, and rediscover the joy and purpose that come from walking closely with God. Your spiritual comeback story is waiting to be written – and with God's help, it can be even more remarkable than you imagine.
As you reflect on your own spiritual journey, ask yourself: What practices or habits do I need to reclaim to reignite my passion for God? How can I intentionally "get back at it" in my faith walk today? Remember, every step back towards God is a step He celebrates.
Your return to spiritual vitality starts now.
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