Sluggish
Scripture Reading — Hebrews 6:9-20
[May] you ... not become sluggish, but imitators of those who ... inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12, NRSV
It takes energy to stay the course, "to live a life worthy of the Lord" (Colossians 1:10).
It is easy, however, to grow spiritually sluggish.
This sluggishness is more than laziness, something that a stern warning might cure--though laziness can play into sluggishness. We become lazy about the affairs of the soul. We skip our prayers; we slide through worship. There are times when we have to rein in our laziness and hold ourselves accountable to others.
This sluggishness is also more than being weary, something that a good night's rest might cure--though weariness can play into sluggishness. Like so many ?others, we complain that there are too many demands on our lives. We're running as fast as we can, and it's not fast enough. Sometimes the most important task in our spiritual life is pruning, beginning with the litter that clutters up our lives.
Ultimately this sluggishness is a symptom of hopelessness, the feeling that our life has no point. Sometimes we experience a season of sluggishness. The antidote to such a season is to call ourselves back to God and remember that God is present and faithful. God is a promise-keeper. His promises to save us and bring us to glory are guaranteed in Christ. Let that be the anchor for the soul that keeps us from drifting into sluggishness.
Dear God, you are faithful and true to your Word. We have seen your faithfulness in Christ and in the ordinary graces of everyday life. May it strengthen us to faithfulness. Amen.
About the author — Jack Roeda
Rev. Jack Roeda is the senior pastor at Church of the Servant Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an adjunct professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. He is married to Carol Sue Kok, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Pastor Roeda has served two previous churches: Exeter (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church and Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan.
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