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Distance from God – 6/21/20

When we first accept Christ we are filled with joy and passion. We want everyone to know how it feels to receive God’s gift of salvation. However, as time passes and life happens we may wake up one day and realize we aren’t as close to God as we used to be. This doesn’t mean we weren’t really saved, but it’s about our joy and passion for Christ shrinking. It may be because the busyness of our lives has distracted us or sometimes we are disobedient to what God wants us to do, and that causes distance. Inattention and laziness regarding our spiritual life can make God feel far away. Many things can come between us and God—even a hobby or goal, a relationship, or anger, fear or fatigue. Whatever the cause we can be sure God isn’t the one who put distance between us and Him. When you start losing heart and your love for God and his people grows cold, when you are untouched by worship and reading your Bible is merely reading words, when you realize you are just going through the motions, it’s time to recognize danger and take action.

Scripture
When they arrived at the Jordan, they began to work. As one of them was cutting down a tree, suddenly his iron ax head fell in the water. “What shall I do, sir?” he exclaimed to Elisha. “It was a borrowed ax!” “Where did it fall?” Elisha asked. The man showed him the place, and Elisha cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the ax head float! “Take it out,” he ordered, and the man reached down and picked it up. (2 Ki 6:4-7) But I do have something against you! And it is this: You don’t have as much love as you used to. Think about where you have fallen from, and then turn back and do a you did at first. (Re 2:4-5)

Verses
Mt 19:26; Re 2:4-5; 2 Ki 6:4-7; Ps 71:12, 73:2, 84:2; Je 15:19

Thought
In the miracle of the ax head (2Ki 6:4-7) (bet you didn’t hear this one in Sunday school), a worker is cutting down a tree when his iron ax head flies off and lands in the Jordan River. An iron tool would have been valuable, but to make matters worse the ax didn’t belong to the worker; it was borrowed. He asks Elisha, “What shall I do?” This is the question we need to ask when we find ourselves feeling distant from God. Admitting we have lost our edge, the valuable passion and heart we once had for Christ is the first step. Then Elisha asked the man, “Where did it fall?” Next we must acknowledge where we lost our closeness to God; we need to examine ourselves. Is there something we need to make right? Maybe we need to let go of anger or forgive someone. Maybe a toxic relationship needs to end. Perhaps our schedule needs to be re-examined and the unnecessary busyness needs to go. In the story, the worker shows Elisha approximately where the ax head entered the water and Elisha breaks off a stick and tosses it into the water. Elisha expects God to act, and the ax head floats to the top. Elisha then tells the man, “Take it out.” The worker retrieves the ax head. Just as the man recovered the ax head, we must do what it takes to regain our spiritual edge. We need to return to what we did at first. Keeping our passion and our joy is assured when we run after God with our heart, mind, body and soul. Our relationship with God remains close when we put Him first in every area of our lives.

Questions
Were you familiar with this OT miracle? Why do you think it’s included in the Bible? When have you felt closest to God? When have you felt the most distant? Where are you now? What causes distance to come between you and God? How do you guard against it? When do you know that it’s time to tighten your connection with God?

Response
If you realize you aren’t as close to God as you should be 1) Admit 2) Acknowledge 3) Expect 4) Recover.

Pray
Dear Lord, I want you to always be my first love. Keep my vision clear and my heart intent on your will and your way for my life. Help my passion for you to be expressed in the way I live, love, give and share my faith with those around me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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