A friend confided in me that he hardly ever reads the Bible outside of Sunday worship and prays very little. “It’s just a heavy burden now,” he said. “I’m burned out on this stuff.”
This is a man who regularly leads small groups in his home. He occasionally preaches sermons in his church. He has remarkably eloquent prayers at dinners with friends.
“I’m faking it,” he admitted.
We talked for a time about spiritual burnout. I suggested he reframe his “why” for reading the Bible and praying privately. I recommended he embrace these as God’s gifts to him, rather than heavy duty. Read with a listening ear to hear God’s love and sustaining grace to carry him through difficult times. (His sister is in chemo treatment for stage 4 cancer.) Pray as a means of unburdening his heavy heart.
He gave me permission to share this story, without using his name. “You’re right,” he told me recently, “these are gifts to me.”
I implore you to accept the loving gifts of God.
