Brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now, for you are still of the flesh. // 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

It had been a long day, and I was exhausted. I finally had some free time, and I knew I should read Scripture and reconnect with God, since prayer had been scarce lately. But, frankly, I wasn’t in the mood. I just wanted to scroll through social media and unwind, so I did.

This behavior continued, and I noticed that prayer wasn’t the only thing I was putting aside. My normal diet of Catholic sustenance and influence was waning. I made excuses to skip Adoration. I no longer attempted to go to Mass during the week. I’d forget to pray the Rosary. Praise and worship music became boring, and my former favorite Catholic podcasts lost their appeal.

Later a friend shared how the Holy Spirit was moving in her life. I thought, When was the last time I felt the Spirit talk to my heart or was inspired to follow His lead? I examined my life. I wasn’t living in mortal sin, but admittedly, I was struggling with my attitude and patience, and I just had a general distaste for “spiritual” things.

Like the Corinthians whom Saint Paul was addressing (1 Corinthians 3:1-3), I wasn’t living the life of a spiritual adult seeking the ways of God and hearing His voice. Instead I was crowding Him out of my heart with things—that weren’t bad in themselves—but were stopping me from living a life centered on God.

The more I substituted spiritual nourishment for junk food of the heart, the more distasteful the spiritual life was to me. Likewise, the more I filled my life with things that drew me closer to God, the spiritually stronger I became and more perceptive to hear His quiet voice.

Is there something (or things) in your life that is keeping you spiritually stunted or crowding out God from being the center of your life?

Lord, enlighten my mind and give me the strength to remove the things that stop me from loving You with my whole heart. I love You. Amen.

[bctt tweet="Hear His quiet voice. // Bobbi Rol" username="blessedisshe__"]

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