Where we live the culture is generally open and accepting regarding the notion of God. There is a strong Christian background that remains as part of the culture, though it definitely has more of a religious/formal slant than a slant towards a personal relationship. Nevertheless, talking about God and the Bible does not find much resistance here.

I meet a lot of people in the course of traveling and living here, and sooner or later our conversation comes around to church and religion. It usually starts by them asking where we are form or what we are doing here in Northern Brazil (as foreigners in a relatively remote part of Brazil we are somewhat curious creators to the nationals), then when we say we are missionaries, well, there’s the jump to religion.

One thing I have noticed is the rather large number of people who end up telling me they used to be part of the church but have fallen away. This without me asking or even hinting about their spiritual life.  I can’t remember even one time that someone has told me this without a hint of sadness or regret in their voice and facial expression.

In the last two months, I’ve meet three people who stood out as they shared with me their current state of being distant or backslidden. What stood out is that when I asked them the motive or reason for being distant or backslidden, all three said the same thing. (I don’t go directly for the spiritual talk with anyone I first meet, but if they start talking about it, which they usually do, then I’ll engage at their level of interest.) Their response was basically that without realizing it, the general current or gravity of life slowly pulled them away until before they knew it they were distant from God and felt unable to navigate back.

Amazing! They didn’t just straight out abandon God, they didn’t decide that God had nothing good for them, they didn’t consciously decide that serving God had no value, but rather they drifted away without realizing it and without wanting to! Their sadness is a direct indication that it was not an active choice or conscious decision.

I have become convinced over the years that this is one of, if not the biggest dangers for Christians – Spiritual Drift. I see it in the Old Testament again and again as the Israelite community abandoned so quickly the God who performed so many incredible feats before their eyes. I see it in my own life weekly and I see it in the life of new and mature believers. 

So what is Spiritual Drift? I see it as gradual distancing from God and His character in us because of Spiritual Gravity.  The Law of Spiritual Gravity says that if I am not actively cultivating my relationship with God then that relationship is deteriorating. It is never standing still! A friend of mine used to say that “Gravity is always on the job.” Meaning we’ve got to pay attention because stuff falls, a hammer, a bolt, a wrench, a cup, a plate, etc. You have to be alert and pay attention ALWAYS.  You have to properly and firmly place things, because whether you’re paying attention or not, gravity is always at work.

Spiritual Gravity is always on the job too.  If I think that I can get my life in order with God and then just coast, or take it easy for a day or a week or a month, I’m fooling myself. Somewhere in the Christian culture we got the idea that accepting Christ is the one mile post that really matters.  After that we basically try to be good church going people who avoid the big obvious sins. That might not be what we believe in our mind, but that’s what the church really tends to look like.

I don’t think the New Testament supports this notion. Accepting Christ is the stepping on point, the beginning – the point at which new life begins. But constant relational development is the norm.  Either I’m growing or I’m drifting away from God. There is no “neutral” in Christianity. You never arrive at full Christian maturity (Phil 3:7-16), you are always walking towards it or away from it. My daily conquest has to be, to maintain and develop my relationship with God. This comes from consistent daily time with God, not just religious activity, but a pressing-in, an intentional relating with God.  Our Christian culture does not focus on relational growth nearly as much as theological knowledge. We need both.

Join me in an experiment. Assume for a moment that this really is the biblical perspective, that continuous and daily relational development is the only normal healthy Christianity that exists. Put that in your mind for a moment. Then read some of Paul’s letters to the churches. Does it fit? Does it look like this constant growth is something that Paul understood as normal Christianity? As I live in South America longer I realize how much we North Americans focus on knowledge and tend to not give relationship the value it deserves. This effects the way we understand the words in the Bible.

Can I become spiritually healthy, can I really shine like a star, can I really be salt or light in the lives of others, if I am not continually growing relationally; if I’m not continually taking on some of the flavor of Christ? Will I be transformed without regularly opening up my heart, emotions, and mind before God? Can I go up stream in a row boat, against the current created by gravity, without rowing?

I’m trying to be intentional each day in developing my personal relationship with God, so that more and more of His heart and character become part of who I am. Some days I do well, other days not so well. Join me in this quest so that Christ can shine through our lives that others may SEE who He really is. They know His name, but how will they know Him if He does not SHINE through your life and mine?

Blessings,