stale

What do you do with a loaf of bread that is unarguably stale? Maybe even moldy? Or what do you do with bananas getting obviously black, or tomatoes beginning to rot and start a fly farm right on your counter? What do you do when you accidentally put a rotten berry in your mouth? 

The reaction is quick, isn't it? You grimace and toss everything into the garbage. You scream and spit it out. 

So why don't I respond that way to my stale and rotten spiritual life? It's moldering right there in front of me and I leave it on the counter. In fact, I keep coming back to it and using it again and again with no repulsion at its state of decay. What in the world?

I read of those involved in idol worship or polytheism (the worship of many gods) and it seems so far from my Christianity, my religious life. I'd never include myself with them ever. You'd think idolatry would be easy to spot, but often it's subtle. It creeps up on you without you being aware. Before you know it your priorities have all shifted. What was important before now has been given 2nd place, maybe even 3rd, 4th, or 5th. 

Not only are my priorities out of whack, my prayer life is dusty. To use terms going around in church right now, it's "casual" and "apathetic." It feels more out of duty than out of love and utter devotion to my Savior. He gave everything for me, and yet I groan to give him 30 minutes of my time in prayer? I don't even crave conversation with Him? Really? 

And when it comes down to it, I'm a hypocrite, not unlike the Pharisees of the Matthew 23:27 passage: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones [very unclean], and of all uncleanness." Who cares what I look like and what I do on the outside. If the inside is legalistic, critical, unthankful, etc., that is what I truly am. I expect of others what I don't even have going on myself. 

I want a change. I'm tired of my distracted, moldy spiritual life. I want another taste so I can see that my Lord is good. I need a clean heart and a renewed spirit. 

I often feel like I'm talking to a wall on here :), but it's an outlet, and if you have the time or think of it, I'd appreciate your prayer that I'd have some sort of revival in my life. An awakening of what really matters and what I really need to do and make first priority. 

Have a blessed Monday! :)