Slumping Spiritually
SLUMPING SPIRITUALLY
WARNING: PASTORAL CONFESSION AHEAD. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
December, we are told, is “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for some, it’s a troublesome time. I know a preacher who struggled for years with depression at Christmas because he had grown up with an alcoholic father who would get drunk on Christmas and smash any toys or gifts that weren’t carefully hidden away before he went on his bender. Other people have had similar, or worse, traumatic events that cluster around the holidays, even if not directly connected. Still others have lost loved ones, and the season just isn’t the same.
I’ve noticed (and Heidi has confirmed) that I tend to fall into a slump spiritually and emotionally at the end of most years. That slump is reflected in the first entry of my prayer journals each year as I try to pick up the pieces of December and make a new start in January. Actual entries: “As usual, I have staggered into the new year on a spiritual, emotional, and physical low.” “Lord, as is usually the case, I’m starting the new year on a low spiritually. I’m just dragging. Help me to get back in a rhythm.” You get the idea.
Some of it is physical. In the hustle and bustle of the season, I tend to get out of regular habits, including exercise (I’ve been to the gym once in the last week and a half). I’m discovering that I’m sensitive to lack of sunshine (and boy, it’s been a gloomy December so far). And I must confess, I sometimes get slack about my quiet times in December as the pace picks up. What percentage of my down feelings are attributable to body, to soul and to spirit is beyond my ability to calculate, but I have learned, as someone put it, that body, soul and spirit dwell in such close proximity that they tend to catch each other’s illnesses, so I’m not sure it matters.
I began to feel the old familiar slide into the darkness coming on sometime around the first week of December, and I determined that I’m NOT going to let it get me this year. It’s a battle, but here’s how I’m fighting it for anyone who can relate.
- I’m being positively obsessive about my daily prayer and Bible reading times. It’s always been a lifeline, but I am much more cognizant of that fact.
- Our dog Thor, who is older than I am in doggie years, lies in the sunbeam that comes in the back window every morning it appears. I think he’s onto something. Us old-timers need sunshine. When the rare sunshine comes out, I try to get as much of it as I can. Thor has claimed the best spot, and I won’t deprive him of it, but sunroofs in the car are a good thing. The blinds in my office are up for the duration.
- I’m listening to Christmas music, my old favorites like Twila Paris’ “It’s The Thought” album and Third Day’s “Christmas Offerings,” and I’ve also discovered a new friend on Sirius XM’s app - the Christmas Spirit channel - contemporary Christian artists doing Christmas hymns and original songs. It has been a real blessing.
- I’m being intentional about giving thanks. I’m consciously looking for things to give thanks about. And I don’t have to look far. I am amazed when I take the time to look at how blessed I am.
- I’m limiting my exposure to the news. Skipping a month of news isn’t likely to change anything in this fallen world, but it may make my heart softer.
- I’ve gone into a writing frenzy. Yesterday, I wrote the Christm as Eve service. I had to. It kept waking me up at 4 A.M. And while I could go back to sleep, Heidi couldn’t. Today, Iwrote the last two messages of the Christmas series “A Thrill of Hope” on the subject of “Rejoicing in Hope.” I had debated whether the series would be four or five messages. The answer is (drum roll, please) it’s going to be six. I’ll preach those last two messages on January 4 and 11, which is appropriate because they will transition us out of Christmas mode and into New Year mode. Then my plan is to go back to Acts. We’ve left Paul in prison in Caesarea long enough (but not nearly as long as he was actually there).
- I’m embracing time with my church and physical families. What wonderful times we’ve had so far this Christmas season. The Church-Wide Thanksgiving Meal started things on the right note, the Seniors’ Christmas Banquet was wonderful, as usual, and the Christmas Tree lighting was a new and welcome addition. I’m looking forward to the Christmas concert this Sunday, the Christmas Eve service, and the remaining worship times and messages in the Christmas series. And given the absences and separations of the past four years, having all the kids and grandkids close by in Kingsport is more wonderful than I describe. It brings a tear to my eye every time I think about it.
- I haven’t made it back to the gym yet, but I’m going to!
SCHEDULE CHANGES
The church office will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. There will be no Wednesday night activities on New Year’s Eve.
WEATHER CHANGES
If inclement weather necessitates a cancellation of services, we make that determination early Sunday morning and then get the news out by way of One-Call, Facebook and our web page. During the week, if the Kingsport City Schools are closed for weather, the church office is as well, and all activities for that day are cancelled. If you’re new to the church or have a new phone number, you may not be on the One-Call list. If you haven’t been getting One-Call alerts, call the church office to have your number included.
Let’s all gather together for all of the services as we move forward toward Christmas and afterward. If you’re slumping, sliding, down, depressed or hysterically, giddily, ridiculously happy, let’s go through it together! The slump makes us want to withdraw - from the Lord and from each other. Withdrawing just feeds the darkness and digs us deeper in the hole. Fellowship brings warmth to the cold.
Numbers 6:24-26,
Bro. Donnie