“40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
There is a term in the workplace called “The Silent Quit.” It is basically when an employee only does the bare minimum in a job with out going above and beyond or taking on any extra tasks. It is when an employee disengages from their role without formally resigning often as a result of feeling undervalued, overworked, or unhappy with their work environments. I’ve seen it with people around me and I have even felt this numerous times with various jobs and bosses that I have had. It mainly applies to the workplace but it also happens in marriages, families, and even our relationship with God.
Right before Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested, and taken to the cross, He and his disciples travel to a place called the garden of Gethsemane. He gave them a task. “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Jesus then went a little further into the garden, sweat drops of blood, prayed for relief from his tormentors, and prayed for the strength to do God’s will. However, instead of staying awake, keeping watch, and praying with Jesus, His disciples fell asleep not once, but three different times. When Jesus came back and found them sleeping he said “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40) They were physically present but spiritually and emotionally absent and failed to support Jesus in one of his most agonizing moments during his life on earth.
How often do we find ourselves doing the same thing in our spiritual walk with Christ? Sure we have accepted the free gift of salvation and grace that was purchased for us but, like the disciples, we go to sleep on what He has called us to do. Maybe it’s not even intentional, but life has become so busy that we have neglected our relationship to the savior. Our prayers become stale, worship feels routine, and our passion for God slowly fades from what it once was when we first accepted Jesus. We still show up physically, but our heart and our passion is simply not there.
Here is the good news, even though the disciples failed to stay awake and do what they were commanded to do, Jesus never gave up on them. He still went to the cross. He still completed the mission of His father. He still used the disciples to flip the world upside down and change millions of lives (read the book of Acts.) My point is that no matter what we do, how far we stray, or how empty we feel towards the things of God, He still fully engages with us and will always be there no matter what. He still loves us unconditionally. Even when we are faithless, he is faithful.
Today, don’t spiritually silent quit any longer. Make the choice to re-engage with God, even if it starts with just 5 minutes. He deserves our full attention, time, and energy. It doesn’t have to be fancy or religious, just be honest and real with God about your struggles. You will experience the peace and joy that you are longing for.
Prayer: Father, I admit that I have felt distant from you and I have silent quit on the things of God. I ask that you would fill me with a fresh passion in my relationship with you. Help me remember the sacrifice that you paid so that we could be together and never take it for granted. You deserve all of my praise, devotion, time, and energy. Thank you for remaining faithful even when I am faithless. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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