Life Style PARK PLACE OF ST. JOHN
into their elderly years (and until passing), a fairly noticeable percentage drifted into spiritual lethargy and too many into “spiritual bankruptcy,” far away from Jesus. One of those get-your-attention statements Jesus occasionally made was, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46, NLT). It echoes the message of Isaiah 29:13: “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Honestly, these passages send a little shiver through my soul. They are the Lord’s way of reminding us that a strong and steady faith is not permanent. It takes self-awareness and diligent pursuit of the spiritual habits that keep us close to the Lord and to His purpose(s) for us. Additionally, age doesn’t diminish our importance to the Lord or His purposes for us. It actually enhances it! We have more time to pursue spiritual habits (prayer, Bible study/ spiritual materials, worship, giving, and serving), are more knowledgeable about spiritual matters, and have more opportunities to reach out and touch those around us with Jesus’ love and kindness. Instead of spiritual bankruptcy, because we are rich in Christ, Scripture commends us to be “rich in good works and generous to those in need” (1 Timothy 6:18). Let’s not fear the “gulf stream” of life—aging quickly. Instead, let’s use it to be rich in good deeds to everyone around us.
Staying Grounded When Life Drifts Spiritual drift rarely announces itself. It happens quietly, in the small choices we stop noticing: prayer postponed, worship skipped, kindness delayed. Over time, those subtle movements can carry us farther than we ever intended to go. The good news is that awareness changes everything. When we pause to check our spiritual bearings, we rediscover what keeps us grounded—practices that restore strength, perspective, and purpose. Faith deepens when it is tended with intention, not urgency. There is also reassurance in knowing that renewal does not require starting over, only turning back. A single moment of stillness, a familiar verse, or an act of service can reorient the heart and steady the soul. This season of life offers a unique gift: the time and wisdom to invest in what truly lasts. Staying close to Christ is not about fear of drifting, but about choosing daily to stand on solid ground and live generously, anchored in hope and love. Even small, faithful steps matter. Taken consistently, they keep us near the shore and open to the work God is still doing in and through us.
www.ParkPlaceStJohn.com (219) 351-5200 | ppsj@provlife.com | 10700 Park Place | St. John, IN 46373
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