Inspired by 2 Chronicles 34-35

by W. Chaz Glass

Things that are not anchored drift, even in still water. Carelessly floating, we lose sight, lose focus, lose zeal, and lose purpose. We can even drift so far that our surroundings become unfamiliar, the place we once thought the most beautiful and peaceful, forgotten. When we distance ourselves from the Word, our spiritual environment will transition from a beautiful garden to parched land full of thorns and thistles. The enemy rewards us for drifting away from God and towards him in our iniquity. He tells us the thorns are not so bad; you and everyone else will be “okay.” He has ways to soothe the pain, like modern medicine, and he blinds us to our condition and consequences, convincing us the wilderness we are in is better for us than the place we started.

Spiritual rediscovery is a journey that beckons us to pause, reflect, and rekindle our connections with what matters most: our faith, trust, and obedience to God. This process extends to families, communities, and the very core of our identity. It is a process that invites us to dust off parts of our lives we’ve neglected, renew our relationships, and reacquaint ourselves with the vision and thoughts God has toward us and His expectations. In this post, we will chart the aspects of spiritual rediscovery, exploring how it encompasses our faith, relationships, and inner potential while drawing wisdom from the lessons of 2 Chronicles 34 & 35.

The Book of Moses, the people’s source of knowledge and strength, was abandoned by previous generations. They neglected the sacred writings and left them to collect dust in some obscure corner of the temple. It was their compass, and they drifted off course, and the effects were costly. Naturally, spiritual adultery caused Israel to morph into an unrecognizable tree. A tree rooted in God to produce wisdom and righteousness for its neighboring nations now produced wild grapes. Israel drifted outside of God’s covenant and, therefore, outside of God’s blessings. A new identity emerged as they drifted further and further in thought and commitment from their first love.

King Josiah’s response to the discovery of the Book of the Law aroused the navigator, and he changed course. He tears his clothes, a sign of mourning and repentance, as he realizes how far his people have strayed from the commandments of God. His reaction reflects a deep sense of responsibility as a ruler to lead his people back to the teachings of Moses. God acknowledges King Josiah’s response as an act of humility. This signals that the first steps in spiritual rediscovery stem from this characteristic. Lacking this quality moves us away from the Father and has caused the fall of men and angels.

King Josiah, after hearing the words of the Book of the Law, makes a covenant before the Lord to follow His commandments with all his heart and soul. He extends this commitment to the people as well, making them participants in the renewal of the covenant between Israel and God. Perhaps he asked himself how they made it without God and praised Him for His patience and mercy.

Sermons and teachings are designed by the Holy Spirit to have the same effect. I pray this post has that effect. Because spiritual rediscoveries extend beyond one reigniting faith. Some need to rediscover their relationship with their spouse; some need to rediscover their relationships with their children; some need to rediscover their relationships with their parents; some need to rediscover what God has put in them to do, the skills, gifts, and talents and ideas they have neglected, talents buried in the ground.

At the individual level, people often go through periods in their lives where they feel distant from their faith or disconnected from God. Personal spiritual rediscovery involves seeking a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Lord, realizing the goodness of God, and turning away from distractions or idols that may have taken precedence in their lives. It is a rediscovery of knowing what God says is good and not what we think is best based on our feelings and emotions.

Over time, couples may find that their marital relationship needs revival. Reconnecting with one’s spouse involves spending quality time together, rekindling emotional intimacy, and open communication. Rediscovering the reasons you fell in love and strengthening your bond is vital for a healthy and fulfilling marriage. Iron sharpens iron, and one’s spouse is the iron you are put against. Loving them despite fiery disagreements at times is the grinding part, day by day and moment by moment. Josiah had a tender heart. A callous heart leads to neglect and gives birth to pride.

In parent-child relationships, rediscovery requires patience and understanding. We may hold bitterness in our hearts over the way our parents “drifted” and resulted in various forms of abuse. The love of God in our hearts draws us back to them, letting go of the past, and with a second chance, rediscovering the people we are today and moving forward. These acts of rediscovery create a stronger foundation for the future, as we learn from King Josiah’s journey to renew his people’s commitment to God.

Rediscovering what God has placed in you to do is an essential aspect of one’s spiritual journey. This can involve seeking guidance through prayer, exploring your passions, and aligning your actions with God’s purpose. It’s a path to a more fulfilling life, a rediscovery of only what we do for Him will last. Everyone possesses unique gifts, talents, and skills. Sometimes, these abilities go untapped or unacknowledged. Rediscovering your own potential and strength in the Lord can be a transformative journey. It often involves self-reflection, exploration, and finding ways to utilize your talents in meaningful ways, whether personally or professionally.

The removal of idols in one’s heart can be a metaphor for letting go of anything that takes precedence over one’s relationship with God. This might include materialism, selfishness, or any other distractions that hinder a close connection with our Lord. Rededication involves a conscious commitment to living in accordance with the Word, often with renewed fervor and passion as the Holy Spirit pulls us back in, raining new insight and revelation that will help guide us back to the Father’s house.

Remember, humility is key in this process. Humility plays a pivotal role in the response to truth or rebuke. It sets the stage for a renewal of faith and a recommitment to living in accordance with God’s commandments. When confronted with the Word of God or a revelation that exposes one’s shortcomings, a humble heart is more likely to respond with repentance and a desire to change. It involves recognizing that there is room for growth and improvement. It was an awakening and humility that brought the prodigal son back home, and it will bring us back to all areas we have neglected.

Through spiritual rediscovery, individuals, families, and communities come to recognize that they have the power to reconnect with their faith, rekindle their relationships, and unearth their untapped potential. In doing so, they embark on a path that leads to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life, strengthening not only their well-being but also the very fabric of society and the world at large, much like the transformative journey of King Josiah, as narrated in the Book of Chronicles.