I remember the first time I felt like I was “on fire” for God.

I can still recall the colourful lights that danced like birds across the stage. The atmosphere was solemn yet I felt a warmth in my heart. Tears poured down my face as I rededicated my life to Jesus in the front pews. I’ll never forget the joy and excitement that rose from within as I did so.

I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back … No turning back …

I’ve never said anything more sincere.

But maybe you’re not feeling like you’re on fire. In fact, maybe you’re at a point in life where you’re asking yourself, “What happened to the fire in my heart?”

Spiritual rock bottom. Well, the good thing about hitting rock bottom is that the only way from there is up. So it’s normal to feel snuffed out at times. Because that’s where an essential stage of discipleship called discipline kicks in.

Discipline is what matters when the passion in your heart flickers.

God’s will for your life is to restore you back to Him because you are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). So the greatest pleasure God feels from your life is when you are made more like Him.

Discipline is what matters when the passion in your heart flickers.

So the reference point that we work towards is Jesus. We should want to be more like Jesus in every way. Even though Jesus was a passionate man, He only did what the Father told Him to do (John 5:19). He was disciplined to wake up early to spend time with the Father (Mark 1:35).

Commitment says hello when passion says goodbye. So our relationship with God doesn’t run on passion alone. The true test of commitment to our relationship with God lies in discipline. Don’t overstay the welcome of your revival. Passion is not a very hospitable host.

We need to read your Bible. We need to spend time praying, and we need to apply the Word of God into our lives. Authentic relationships require time and effort.

But what if I’m already doing all these things?

And yet … You don’t feel God in your life anymore. I’m sorry you feel that way. I’ve been there too in seasons of my life. But keep longing and praying – the effort put in to reaching God is never meaningless or in vain.

Perhaps you can ask, “What is God teaching me in His silence?”

Periods of silence may be trials you have to walk through. The apostle James teaches us that “the testing of your faith develops steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3-4).

Authentic relationships require time and effort.

Friendly warning: It’ll be easy to fall in self-pity. Be careful not to fall into the enemy’s lies. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Then rejoice. Rejoice because “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

So if you are at this point of your life, do not weep or mourn. Take joy and comfort because God is working in you. You may not be able to see it right now, but this is precisely the most crucial time you need to trust in His love for you. Know that He wants to draw you closer to Him in all things.

“It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:7)

Whether you believe it or not, God delights in you. As you align yourself to seek and pursue His will for your life – He rejoices over you (Psalm 37:23)

Dear friend, thank you for reading this. We may not know each other, but I am so proud of you. Thank you for doing God’s work and being His hands and feet. It’s a great thing that you still desire God.

Keep pressing in. Don’t give up! He loves you. A great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1-2) including me is cheering you on!