I had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. The house was filled with people I love. I would have liked to have all of them there, but I will count my blessings and be grateful. Among many wonderful things, I had the joy of spending time with a borrowed puppy. The best kind of puppy: the one you can play with and return. I noticed she had a hard time listening and did whatever she wanted. She kept getting herself into trouble, paying no attention to the older dogs or her human friends. A bundle of cute stubbornness.
This is my favorite kind of challenge, so obviously yours truly jumped into action. I took time to train her, starting with responding to her name, coming when called, and sitting on command. She was quick to learn but backslid just as quickly the moment she got distracted. Reminded me of Jeremiah.
“Return, you backsliding children,
-Jeremiah 3:22
And I will heal your backslidings.”
How can a tiny puppy be expected to withstand distractions when even we, made in the perfect image of God, have not overcome backsliding? And yet God does not give up on us, because He is an awesome God. He provides a way back, again and again, and promises to heal us of our backsliding. Is that not an amazing promise? When was the last time any of us allowed a puppy to keep nipping at our heels without getting irritated? God extends to us a patience and grace we rarely extend to anyone else, including ourselves.
There are many times when I am on point, reading the Bible regularly and talking to God consistently, and yet I backslide. I use chores and responsibilities as an excuse to get distracted and look away from God. Before I even realize it, I am hit by a storm of my own making, simply because I stopped focusing on the right things.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.“
-Philippians 4:8
Life gets distracting. Some of it is our own lack of prioritization and some of it is our struggle against forces bigger than ourselves. We are pawns in a spiritual war and Satan takes great pleasure in causing us agony. But the feeling that comes from backsliding is not pleasant once you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. There is an uneasiness about the primal, carnal state we get sucked into, getting dashed against the rocks of chaos, grief, pain, and lack of joy. The fruit of the Spirit seems like a distant memory.
Here is my anchor: when I feel that I am getting sucked into a chaotic state and entropy ensues, I fall on my knees and ask our sweet Savior to put me back on track and heal the backsliding. In His infinite loving kindness, He gently tugs me back to a place of joy. If you are backsliding today, know that He is waiting to draw you in His loving arms and heal you. May God bless you.
Dear God,
Your loving kindness has made it possible for me to enjoy eternal life. On my own, I would crash and burn. Please transform me so that my actions bring You glory, now and always. I pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.