Spiritual Anorexia

Recently, I had a student ask, “How can I develop a stronger relationship with God?”

It’s something we all want, especially when he seems so far away.

But, living on a diet of spiritual milk when we’re ready for meat isn’t working.

We flick through gilded pages and let the Bible fall open where it may. We haphazardly pick out a Bible verse or two, allow our eyes to run swiftly over the words, snap the Bible shut, send a rushed prayer towards Heaven, and then get on with our busy lives.

It doesn’t help that in modern life we’ve all become spoilt to the ease and speed at which we can get results.

Hungry? Just pop a pre-packaged meal in the microwave for a few minutes and voila! Dinner is served.

Need to do research for a school assignment? Why bother with spending endless hours hunting for books in the library when we can access articles on Google within seconds.

No time to shop for a new pair of jeans at the mall? Shop online. Some vendors allow us to click and collect our brand new pants within an hour. Amazing.

It’s no surprise then that a generation raised on two minute noodles, instant coffee, instant streaming and Instagram expects instant spiritual maturity.

What the dear old saints have always known is that a deep, rich and satisfying relationship with God requires cultivation and effort.

Neglect it and it will struggle to survive.

Our relationship with God at times seems more like a casual acquaintance. Sure, we nod our heads in acknowledgement of him across a crowded room, but we dare not venture to walk up close to him. Even though our deepest desire is to be as near to him as his shadow.

Anorexics starve themselves, often disguising their true condition for a while by wearing layers of clothing for additional padding.

Spiritual anorexics disguise their shallowness and hollow lives by wearing layers of spiritual hypocrisy.

We snack on the Bible and it shows. We’re starving ourselves when we could be feasting.

While he was on earth, Jesus showed his disciples how vital it was to spend time with our Heavenly Father.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.    Mark 1:35

The Benefits of Daily Devotions–Quiet Time

Dedicating a set amount of time for daily devotions will strengthen our relationship with God as we give him our undivided attention to listen and to talk to him.

Happy is the person that seeks wisdom from God every day.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.   Proverbs 8:1

We’ll be transformed from spiritual anorexics that are flattened by the slightest gust of wind into spiritual hulks, rippling with muscle, and ready for combat.

Our senses will be heightened, as well as our ability to discern his voice over the roar of other voices.

Meaningful time spent with God will increase our faith, love, and devotion towards him.

We’ll have more power and influence in life. Notice how onlookers recognized that these men had been with the Lord.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.   Acts 4:13

The Benefits of Meditation

Charles Swindoll penned these words which should strike a chord in all of us.

You want to be profoundly aware of His presence, in touch with Him at the deepest possible level, thinking His thoughts, gleaning His wisdom, and living as close to His heart as humanly possible, operating your life in the nucleus of His will.

This can only be achieved through intimacy with the Almighty.

As God reveals spiritual truth to us as we study the Word of God, we should take the time to think deeply about what God is saying.

Verses may suddenly leap out at us—screaming for attention.

Practice turning them over and over in your mind like a charcoal chook roasting on a spit. Memorise the verses. Apply the scripture. God is at work. God is speaking.

Whether it’s something you know you need to change in your life, or that verse of encouragement that came at the perfect moment, pay attention.

As you read, study and meditate, focus on seeing God for who he is. Nothing strengthens your faith in the awesome God we serve than having an accurate understanding of his mind, will and character.

Allow the Lord and what he says to affect every aspect of your life.

The heart is hard and the memory slippery, and without meditation all is lost; meditation imprints and fastens truth in the mind. Without meditation the truths which we know will never affect our hearts.   Thomas Watson.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Joshua 1:8

Internalised spiritual truths also help us to withstand spiritual attacks from the enemy.

Let’s be like the Psalmist who wrote:

O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.    Psalm 119:97

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.    Psalm 119:100

Time with God, in his Word, is time well spent.

It’s just another way to hear his voice.

Bibliography

Hamrick, F. 2005, The Heart of the Matter, Positive Action for Christ, North Carolina.

Morgan R.J. 2000, Nelson’s Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations and Quotes, Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville.

Swindoll C.R. 1999, Intimacy with the Almighty, J, Countryman, Tennessee.

Tozer A.W. 2009, The Pursuit of God, Authentic Media, UK.