As Christians, we all strive to live a life that is pleasing to God. We pray, read the Bible, attend church, and try to follow God’s commands. However, sometimes we find ourselves struggling and feeling distant from God. We may feel like we are not making progress in our spiritual journey or that we are constantly falling back into sin. When this happens, it’s important to ask ourselves: what is drawing us away from God?
There are many things that can distract us from our relationship with God. It could be a sinful habit that we can’t seem to break, a relationship that is pulling us in the wrong direction, or a busy schedule that leaves us with little time for prayer and reflection. Whatever it may be, we need to identify the root cause of our spiritual struggles so that we can address them and recommit ourselves to God.
One of the biggest obstacles to our spiritual growth is sin. Sin is a rebellion against God’s will and it separates us from Him. We all struggle with sin in our lives, and the Bible tells us that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). However, we need to be honest with ourselves and with God about our sins. We can’t hide them or make excuses for them. Instead, we need to confess them, turn away from them, and seek God’s forgiveness and help in overcoming them.
Another thing that can draw us away from God is the love of money or material possessions. Jesus warns us, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24). When we prioritize money or material possessions over God, we risk losing sight of what is truly important and our relationship with Him suffers.
Relationships can also be a source of distraction from God. We may be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t share our values or beliefs, or who is leading us down the wrong path. We need to be careful about the company we keep and the influence they have on us. As Proverbs 13:20 tells us, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Lastly, busyness can draw us away from God. We live in a world that values productivity and achievement, and it’s easy to fill our schedules with work, activities, and entertainment. However, when we don’t make time for God, our spiritual lives suffer. We need to prioritize our relationship with Him by setting aside time for prayer, reading the Bible, and attending church.
In conclusion, there are many things that can draw us away from God, but with His help, we can overcome them. We need to be honest with ourselves and with God about our struggles, confess our sins, and seek His forgiveness and help in overcoming them. We need to prioritize our relationship with Him over money, possessions, relationships, and busyness. As we do so, we will find that our spiritual lives are enriched, and we will draw closer to the One who loves us and gave His life for us.