From Sticky Souls to Transformed Hearts
God’s command—from the glorious clouds overshadowing the Transfiguration of Jesus in the gospels—reminds us: when we listen and do whatever the Son of God says he will lead us from barrenness due to selfish living into righteous fruit-producing living for the glory of God. Self cannot satisfy self. We must hunger for God.
This is basically our journey for Lent, because sinful attitudes and actions try to stick to our souls and destroy our Life with God. Jesus wants us to produce righteous fruit that bring glory to our King’s rule and reign.
“Joy and sadness are born at the same time, both arising from such deep places in your heart that you can’t find words to capture your complex emotions. But this intimate experience in which every bit of life is touched by a bit of death can point us beyond the limits of our existence.” —Henri Nouwen
Day 17: Fasting Spiritual Desensitization
A biblical way to describe ‘apathy’ is indifference or spiritual desensitization. Apathy involves an “I don’t care” attitude of response and that is not a good spiritual practice. That attitude may have developed based on weariness or personal suffering; it is a self-protecting tendency. Yet, if we persist in focusing on self rather than God, we can find ourselves stepping into an emotional realm of apathy where we find a lack of motivation to lovingly serve and prioritize others. A pre-occupation on self will produce the rotten fruit of apathy; spiritual matters of righteousness will cease to be a passion or a priority. Denying self is the only way toward God’s righteousness.
The Bible warns against a spiritual desensitization that tries to creep into human life through the avenues of stress and suffering. A passionate Christian will experience some form of persecution; Jesus told us it would be a part of our lives, but his grace would be sufficient (2 Cor 12:9). When we first come to Jesus and taste his goodness we passionately jump into service, but life will eventually require patient endurance that can make us weary in the battle for doing good (Gal 6:9). Conviction may lose its hold and indifference may run to take its place.
When Jesus cleared the Temple of the moneychangers, he was filled with righteous indignation based on the spiritual desensitization of the religious leaders. How did they allow this corruption to enter God’s house? The moneychangers were robbing the people and all these worshipers wanted to do was bring a sacrifice to the Lord. Did these religious leaders no longer care about the will and purposes of God? Or, did they become indifferent based on their own desires and opinions and over time stooped to the ways of the world? Whatever the answer, Jesus was angry at their apathy which caused them to disrespect Father God.
The Apostle John shares a warning from the Lord about apathy in his letter to the Ephesian and Laodicean churches. The Ephesians were abandoning their first Love—the Lord—which was causing a decline in their passion for the work of the Kingdom (Rev 2:2-5). The Laodiceans had become “lukewarm” in their commitment to the Lord (Rev 3:15-16). The answer for spiritual desensitization is prayer, the study and application of Scripture, and serving others; these things will rekindle our love for Christ’s Kingdom purpose.
Today, we will fast spiritual desensitization and will instead choose to feast on passion for our Christ. In John’s gospel today, Jesus contrasts the different emotions his disciples and the world will experience at his death. Apathy will lead the world. Believers will face the spiritual tension present in the world committed to sin. “For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. They won’t listen to what the Bible says but will blithely follow their own misguided ideas (2 Tim 4:3-4). We must take courage, because Jesus never leaves us—always present and powerful.
John 16:17-33 NLT
17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”
19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your passionate response to the sin that can hinder even your believers. The world puts pressure on us and the tension is hard to endure over time. Thank you for helping us grab ahold of courage and continue to fight the battle against spiritual desensitization. We want to radiate your passion and are willing to display your holy indignation when a choice must be made. In your holiness, you got angry with an apathetic attitude and spirit by demonstrating a passion for the Truth. Keep us grounded and living in the Truth, Holy Spirit! In Jesus’ name. Amen.