How to keep the spark alive

My relationship with God is very much like my marriage. There are times where the romance is high and I think my heart couldn't possibly hold any more love and then there are times where I get stuck in the routine of it all and I miss all the fireworks. It's the normal ebb and flow of any relationship.

Lately I've been in spiritual rut. I talk to God daily, but the excitement to learn and teach just doesn't seem there. This isn't the first time I've been here and surely won't be the last. So as you can see I haven't posted and SOAP studies lately, but I have mixed things up in order to take myself a little deeper into Christ.

See, when we hit that tough patch of ground we have a choice to give up and drift away or press through and go deeper. So here is what I do to mix it up and press through:

1. I listen to podcasts. There are sermons online by some incredible teachers. Some of the ones that I listen to are LifeChurch/Craig Roschelle, Elevation Church/Steven Furtick, Joyce Meyer, Mars Hill/ Mark Driscoll, and Redeemer Church/Timothy Keller.
- it is always refreshing to hear a new perspective on the word.

2. I have memory scripture that I look at multiple times in a week. I will usually pray these scriptures as I review them. It is a great way to set my mind right.

3. I have my favorite scripture recorded on audio by my husband. Sometimes I take a walk and just listen to him read the word over me.

4. I read Christian Fantasy Fiction. Weird I know, but I love when creativity and fantasy meet. The are some great authors who a fantastic job of describing Christ and helping you see Him in a different way.

5. I talk with friends that I know love Jesus and love talking about Him. I'm so grateful for these friendships because they spur me on in my relationship with Jesus.

It doesn't matter so much how you pursue Christ, but that you do pursue Him. Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. I know that promise is true. So for those few that read this blog, let me encourage you that if you get stagnant in your relationship with Christ, mix it up and try some different things, but don't give up pursuing Him.