Check the Pulse
This blog post will not be a long one, but I hope it is a meaningful one. It’s all based on one question: have you checked your pulse lately? And not your literal, physical pulse. But rather, your spiritual pulse. Is it healthy, pumping blood like it ought to for every part of your life? Or is it struggling to get blood where it needs to go, and it feels like every part of your life needs rejuvenating?
Check the Pulse
I invite you to check your pulse. Right now. How is your spiritual blood flowing? Maybe you are feeling on top of the world and your faith is at an all-time high. Or maybe you feel like your soul is in deep need of encouragement and you feel incredibly isolated. No matter what your pulse is, I have an encouragement for you: Jesus loves you.
And not just love you as the world would portray love. The God of the universe died in your place, showing that there is no greater love than His (John 15:13, Romans 5:6-8). Jesus died so that we could live. He gives us the blood that flows in our veins so that our body works like it ought to, and the same goes for our spiritual life as well. If your pulse is strong, I trust you are feeling close to Jesus in the season you are in and are trusting Him. If your pulse is weak, I encourage you to seek Christ with your whole heart. He sees you, He loves you, and He invites you to come to him (Hebrews 4:14-16, Psalm 34:18).
Get the Blood Flowing
If your pulse is weak and you are feeling discouraged, doubtful, depressed, angry, lonely, isolated, or anything remotely close to these very real and difficult realities, here are some ways to get your spiritual blood flowing again:
Pray for what you need. Jesus delights in giving us what we need. Some of the most honest prayers I have ever heard are a simple, “Lord, help me.” The Lord hears you, and He will meet you where you are. Things might not change right away, but the Lord will never forsake you or abandon you. He will provide all you need when you need it.
Gather with your brothers and sisters. The church is more than a once a week gathering on a weekend to worship. We were meant to live life together and bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). Talk to your fellow saints in Christ about where you are spiritually. Ask for their guidance, love, and prayers. You are loved by Christ AND his people!
Read His Word (the Bible). I say this to people all the time, “I know when I’m in my Bible and when I’m not.” God’s Word has the power to change our hearts and refocus our eyes on Him. I think of the Hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. It says this, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” The Bible can reorient our mind and hearts to focus on the Lord.
See yourself through the eyes of Jesus. A few years ago, I read a small book called The Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels About You by Dane Ortlund (shameless plug, go read this book!). This book truly changed my life. Jesus loves us more than we can imagine. Here are some of the chapter titles: His Very Heart, Able to Sympathize, I Will Never Cast You Out, A Tender Friend, Father of Mercies, Rich In Mercy. I hope you get a small picture of who Jesus is just from these chapter titles, and I hope you can start to imagine how much he loves you. He loves you perfectly, and that can get your spiritual blood flowing better than anything else.
Check your pulse often, brothers and sisters. And no matter how strong or weak your pulse may feel, remember: Jesus loves you!
In Him,
Jeremy Provenghi