Spiritual Highs

Happy Sunday,

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you… Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”

Psalm 63:1-3

When was the last time you had a “spiritual high”?
Through high school and college, I would go on a fall retreat, a spring retreat, and often a summer mission trip. 

The “spiritual high”—a feeling of being on fire for Jesus—was predictable, as were the reminders from small group leaders that the feeling was fleeting. I remember being warned not to chase the spiritual high and reminded over and over that I needed good spiritual disciplines when returning to the “real world.”

I agree… mostly.

Yes, we need good spiritual disciplines—things like reading the Bible, praying, and confessing sin are valuable regardless of whether we feel like doing them—but I think we should also intentionally seek out things that make us feel closer to Jesus. Not as a substitute for spiritual disciplines, but as a way to fan the flames of our affection for Jesus.

If you feel closer to God during a silent walk through nature, what are you waiting for? Get out in nature! If you feel closer to God after a Christian concert where the room is full, the lights low, and the music loud… buy a concert ticket! (Or you can steal my budget-friendly version, and watch a loud YouTube video of a concert in a dark room.)

Here’s your homework: This week, do something to feel the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to draw near, then pursue Him.

What do you think?
Jason Woodruff

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P.S. Last week, I opened by saying “I am a sinner,” and a few of you pushed back to say that, actually, I am a child of God who is free from sin! I do sin, but it is no longer my identity. While it feels like semantics… I do feel like I held my head a bit higher after being reminded of this truth. So thank you. 

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