Welcome to Day 10 of the 40Days of Return. When I was in high school, I was taught about chemical energy in the food we eat. I began to wonder how food is converted to the physical strength that I exert for my daily work. I asked my teacher to tell me a particular thing I would do to stop being hungry without eating. He laughed and said, “That’s not possible. The only cure to hunger is food”. I used to wonder why it is not possible to eat a significant amount of food once and never get hungry again. This is the same with our spiritual lives. We need regular refueling – a consistent stirring of our spiritual fire.
The Secret of Vibrant Spirituality.
Consistency is the hallmark of spiritual growth. You cannot become stronger or move higher spiritually without consistency. Consistent spiritual refueling is needed to maintain a vibrant faith walk. Let me ask you a question, for the last six months, can you recount spiritual activities you engaged in consistently? Do you exhibit sufficient self-discipline to pray and study the word regularly? This is how you can refuel.
Breaking Off Spiritual Weaknesses
Refueling is a spiritual activity that fans to flames the things of the Spirit in you; it energizes your inner being, and sharpens your vision.
Many believers are feeling like a weakling because they have refused to refuel. Some are telling stories of how they used to be passionate about the Lord some years back. Some are overwhelmed with the demands of life and hustling. Some have already accepted the status quo of being passive about their faith. They have become carried away by friends and associates. This is not supposed to be so.
We ought to remind ourselves these things as Paul reminded the Roman Christians, “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master” Romans 12:11 (MSG). Paul also reminded Timothy to “…fan into flames the gracious gift of God [that inner fire – the special endowment] which is in you…” 2Timothy 1:6 (AMP).
How to Stay Fueled and Aflamed!
Remember that it is your responsibility to refuel. You must first pause and wait on the Lord to know what status you are right now. Is your tank full or empty? To refuel, you have to take some time off distractions around you to prayerfully consider what has been draining and sapping you of spiritual strengths. A lot of people are exhausted by the legitimate demands of the world – career, family, friends, and work.
The next thing to do is to remember those things that you did in the past that strengthened you spiritually. Go back to the times of personal retreats, alone with God, fasting, prayer, and other refreshing moments.
You might need to create time out of your busy schedules to listen to audio messages that stir you up. You might need to talk to some friends that are still on fire for the Lord – check on them and ask them about what they are doing to stay on fire.
You might also need to block out time in your schedule for consistent prayer and study of God’s word with your partner, friend, or family member. It is your responsibility to act and stand by it.
You might want to have an accountability partner to check on you regularly. Remember those spiritual activities that stretched you beyond your capacity at a particular point in your life. Go back to them. Bring them back.
Ask the Lord for strength to keep standing. The journey is still far. You need to refuel consistently.
Shalom!
