Last month I introduced the concept of spiritual permafrost. Sometimes we can let our relationship with God get so frozen over that thawing it out takes radical action.
It's easy to feel guilty about stepping back from youth work, but running yourself into the ground doesn't help either you or your young people, and it neither honours God nor provides a healthy role model of the Christian life. But wouldn't it be far better to catch the problem early? Here are some suggestions to keep your own relationship with God on track.
Be disciplined
First and foremost, be disciplined. Have a plan and then stick to it. Make sure that you are regularly making time to read the Bible on your own, and to pray. Most of us, if we made an appointment to do something with one of our friends wouldn't dream of just not turning up. Think of your time of private prayer and study as an appointment with God - and be punctual!
