Drifting from God

Opening Verse

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
— James 4:8 (KJV)

Introduction

Drifting from God does not happen overnight. It begins with small compromises, little distractions, and a gradual coldness of heart. Before we know it, we find ourselves distant from His presence, wondering how we got so far.

Devotional Story

A man once lived by the ocean, enjoying the sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun. Every morning, he would take his small boat out into the water, staying close to the shore. One day, as he lay back, enjoying the breeze, he closed his eyes for what felt like only a moment.

When he opened them, he was shocked to see how far he had drifted. The shore was no longer in sight. Panic set in as he realized he had let himself go too far without noticing.

This is what happens when we neglect our walk with God. At first, it seems harmless to skip a day of prayer or to neglect reading the Word. But soon, our hearts grow distant, and sin creeps in unnoticed.

What This Means

Drifting is dangerous because it is subtle. It happens when we stop being intentional about our relationship with Christ. The world is full of distractions that can pull us away from God’s presence if we are not careful.

The good news is that no matter how far we have drifted, God is always calling us back. He is merciful and will restore us when we turn to Him with a sincere heart.

Think About This

• Have you noticed areas in your life where you have slowly drifted from God?
• What distractions have been keeping you from prayer and reading the Bible?
• How can you intentionally draw near to God today?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have allowed myself to drift from You. I have been distracted, neglecting the most important relationship in my life—my relationship with You. Forgive me, Lord. Draw me back into Your presence. Help me to seek You daily with all my heart, to love You above all else, and to never grow distant again. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
— Revelation 2:4 (KJV)