Staying on Course: The Dangers of Spiritual Drift
As I reflect on a recent presentation by a former field artillery officer, I’m reminded of the importance of constant adjustment in our spiritual lives. The officer shared how, on the battlefield, the first order of the day was to re-set the crosshairs on their site, as they tend to “drift” overnight, potentially causing them to miss their target or even fire into friendly territory.
The Risk of Drift in Our Spiritual Lives
This concept resonates deeply with our spiritual journeys. Unless we’re intentional about monitoring and adjusting our spiritual sights, we too can drift off course, leading to disastrous consequences. The good news is that drifting away from God doesn’t require much effort – simply neglecting our spiritual well-being can lead us astray.
Lessons from the Letter to the Hebrews
The readers of the letter to the Hebrews were guilty of the same negligence, and it’s a warning to us today. Protecting our relationship with God demands purposeful attention to our spiritual lives. It requires more than just daily quiet time, church attendance, and other habits.
Practical Strategies to Avoid Spiritual Drift
So, how can we avoid drifting away from God? Here are some practical strategies to help you stay on course:
- Surround yourself with godly friends who can provide accountability and support.
- Be mindful of your relationships with godless people, lest they influence you away from God.
- Seek out strong believers who can inspire and encourage you.
- Set clear goals for yourself, both spiritual and otherwise, and stick to them.
- Ask God for direction and be open to listening to His voice.
- Don’t let hardship or grief cool or sour your relationship with God.
- Collect encouraging scriptures and frequently read them to remind yourself of God’s promises.
- Remember that God can bring good out of every heartache.
- Avoid tempting situations that may lead you astray.
The Daily Habit of Spiritual Re-Alignment
Staying on course requires a daily commitment to re-set our spiritual sights. It’s a habit we must work to build, but if we prioritize it, we’ll stay on the right spiritual path and avoid drifting away.
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