I recently had someone describe life as a sink hole.  I’m at the bottom with no way out.

The pastor in me does not let statements like that go unchallenged.  What do you mean there’s no way out. Do you truly believe that?

After a brief conversation it gets revealed that life as a “sink hole” is an overstatement.  This individual named a few things that could slowly inch them towards civilization from the bottom of the pit.

After providing a listening ear for some time I offered up a few suggestions that help with the relieving of “sink hole syndrome.”  They’re suggestions I provide to people who are new to faith, struggling in faith, bored in faith, and everything in between.  Perhaps they’ll be helpful to you.

Spiritual Formation

How are you being formed into the image of Christ?  You need to have an answer because it will not happen by accident.  No one wakes up each morning seeking their own desires and accidentally stumbles into Christlikeness.  You must be intentional.

The spiritual disciplines are a great place to start.  Make them a part of your day.  Here’s a few of the spiritual disciplines:

• Prayer
• Meditation
• Bible reading
• Worship
• Solitude
• Sabbath
• Service
• Confession

I love Paul’s pastoral heart in Galatians 4:19, My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.  Start with one and make it habit.  Then move to adding another one.

Christian Community

Do you have Christian community in your life?  Don’t get Christian community confused with church attendance.  Christian community is not finding yourself in large groups of Christians.  Rather, Christian community involves life-on-life relationships.  Christian community provides accountability, support and encouragement as you follow Jesus Christ.

Here’s the test to identify if you have Christian Community:  Do you have someone in your life that would call you out if you did something unChristlike?  For example, say that you made a really silly decision that obviously was not Christlike behavior.  Is there person in your life that would pull you aside and say, “What in the world are you doing?”

If the answer is yes, you’re probably on your way to accountability, support, and encouragement.  If the answer is no, you need to find Christian community.

 Ministry

How are you putting your God-given gifts to use?  Too many Christians allow their God-given gifts to sit dormant or unused.  Too many Christians use their God-given gifts for personal enjoyment and fail to share their with the world.

God did not give you gifts so that you can hoard them.  Ever watch that TV show Hoarders?  It chronicles people who have issues letting things ago and have an unquenchable desire to collect things.  The result?  A home filled with stuff, stuff, and more stuff.

At times I feel this is a good description of the church.  The church is a place filled to the roof with God-given gifts waiting to be used.  Let’s go to work.