Feed Your Faith
I saw a quote from C.S. Lewis this morning that got me thinking. He said, “We have to be continually reminded of what we believe. Neither this belief or any other will automatically remain alive in the mind. It must be fed.”
Remembrance is a Biblical charge. David prayed seven times a day (Psalm 119:164), Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10), and the Lord charges the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8 to not forget the Lord.
If you’ve been around Life Roots much in the last few years you’ll remember this verse, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23). There is something about the things we dwell on – the things we feed our minds – that shapes who and how we’re becoming.
Our sinful nature naturally, if left to its own accord, will bend towards pride and the illusion of self-sufficiency. Moses warns the Israelites:
“When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands.” He continues, “Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 8:10-11,14).
What do you find yourself daydreaming about?
This is a great place to start in working to determine what’s guiding your life. If you obsess over losing weight, you’re likely to spend loads of time at the gym, stay up late researching new diet trends, and slowly orient your life towards that pursuit.
That change requires dedication and attention. The moment you lose interest is usually the moment you begin to drift. Before long, it’s been two weeks since you’ve worked out and your pantry takes on a whole new shape.
It’s a simple example, but the same principle applies to our walk with the Lord. Friend, following Jesus is not easy, especially as we find ourselves immersed in this sinful, broken world. It requires our full attention. As C.S. Lewis pointed out, we have to be reminded of what we believe, or we will slowly forget – just as Moses warned Israel.
How do we guard ourselves from drifting?
Spend time in God’s Word and pray. This goes without saying, but Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins and restore our relationship with God. Right now, at this very moment, we have access to the God of the universe. Don’t neglect that gift.
Find friends who are running in the same direction as you in their faithful pursuit. Fellowship is one of God’s greatest gifts in helping us stay the course. Friends who know you can expose blind spots, call you higher, and encourage you when you’re weary.
Paul gives us another practical safeguard in Philippians:
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or worthy of praise – think about such things” (Philippians 4:8)
Pay attention to what fills your mind. The things we dwell on move our hearts. Our hearts influence our decisions. And our decisions shape who we become. So, remember what you believe. Feed your faith. Don’t forget the One who made you.
