Help! I'm a Spiritual Zombie!

Zombies. Half-dead, half-alive. Not fully conscious. They are numb to the life around them, and their only purpose is to make it through the day.

In Atlanta, we’re zombie-crazy since the hit TV show, The Walking Dead, is filmed here. I know several people who have donned their best zombie costumes and auditioned to be extras on the show. My husband records every episode, and I try to watch along with him, but honestly, it gets too gross for me. I’m such a wimp.

Those zombies freak me out.

The truth is, however, I’ve been a zombie. So has my husband. And the other pastors at Mountain Lake Church. No, I haven’t auditioned to be on the show. But, I have been half-dead.

Spiritually speaking.

I have experienced the life-changing grace of God, yet I will admit that I have lived through seasons when I grew numb to the excitement that I felt when I first met Him. I have, at times, been lulled into thinking that I’m OK because I’m busy doing good things. I have excused behavior that dishonors the God I claim to serve. I have rationalized my actions. Then, that line of thinking caused me to ignore or not hear the still, small voice of God in my life, and I missed lessons He wanted to teach or opportunities He placed before me. Spiritually speaking, I wasn’t fully alive. I was numb.

I have been a spiritual zombie . . . more than once.

Jesus has a warning for those of us who have been bitten by the zombie virus:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.  Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief” (Revelation 3:1b-3).

I bet you have been a zombie at times, too, but let me encourage you. There is more to life than going through the motions. There is more to faith than a list of do’s and don’ts. There is more to a relationship with God than checking church attendance off a list.

You can be fully alive. You can hear the voice of God. You can recognize His activity around you.

At Mountain Lake Church, my hubby is teaching a message series called “Help! I’m A Spiritual Zombie!” and I’d love for you to join me. We’re even beginning a bible reading plan to bring us all back to life.

You don’t have to be a spiritual zombie. There’s help for all of us.

CC Image • KellBailey on Flickr