Keep Your Spiritual Fervor: The Slow Fade

"never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." ~Romans 12:1

Have you ever noticed how a once-pristine white shirt gradually becomes dingy? It happens so slowly you barely notice - until one day you hold it up next to something truly white and suddenly see the difference. Our spiritual life can fade the same way. Thomas à Kempis points out a sobering truth in his book The Imitation of Christ: "We are not inflamed with the desire to improve ourselves day by day; hence, we remain cold and indifferent" (8). Like that shirt that slowly loses its brightness, our spiritual fervor can dim so gradually we don't even realize it's happening.

Keep Your Spiritual Fervor

Jesus speaks directly to this spiritual cooling. In Revelation 2:4, Jesus confronts the church in Ephesus with this reality: "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first." These believers hadn't suddenly rejected their faith - they had slowly drifted from their original passion for Christ. The problem isn't just that we cool off - it's that we often become comfortable with our lukewarm state (Revelation 3:15-16). We get used to our small compromises, our half-hearted devotions, our casual relationship with sin. Kempis further writes, “…we feel that we were better and purer in the first fervor of our conversion than we are after many years in the practice of our faith. Our fervor and progress ought to increase day by day; yet it is now considered noteworthy if a man can retain even a part of his first fervor” (9). Paul challenges this complacency in Romans 12:11, urging us to "never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

But how do we rekindle that flame? The answer lies in deliberate, daily choices. Peter tells us to "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control" (2 Peter 1:5-6). Notice the active language - "make every effort." Spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident.

A Daily Challenge to Rekindle the Flame

Today's Challenge: Set aside 10 minutes to divide two-ways. Why 10 minutes? Giving a tenth of what we have, in this case our time, is a custom from ancient Biblical roots. First, read the Daily Readings from the lectionary/liturgy or whichever Scriptures you choose. Second, slowly read a Christian book that will challenge you. Meditate throughout the day on what you’ve read. You will quickly notice the practical application of your reading. Applying these two practices within the ancient Biblical custom of giving God a tenth of our time will greatly multiply your spiritual growth.

Remember, the shirt that slowly fades doesn’t restore its own whiteness. Similarly, we need God's help to rekindle our spiritual fervor. As you take that first step today, pray David's words: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

Always improve the present moment.