Stuck in a Religious Rut?

In a movie released in the early 2000s, the three main characters are eternally stuck, forever unable to move forward from the moment their parents announce that they are separating.

The children grow up, but not really. Day after day, year after year, they wear the exact same clothes as they had on the day that the fateful news of the break-up was delivered. They are forever frozen in time, crippled by this event — until they can face their fears and work through their individual problems. At last, the clothes change.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”

I recently went to a Mass in which the priest talked about a similar scenario — only he saw it played out in spiritual terms. He said he speaks with people on a daily basis who still have a “13-year-old’s view of God.”

Whatever happened to make them stop seeking to know God in an intimate and personal way has forever crippled them in their ability to move forward in the spiritual life. No wonder Christianity does not seem to “work” for them! Their God is only able to deal with a 13- year-old’s problems, because that is all He is to them in their minds. God is not present to them in real life as they are experiencing it today.

What about you? Who is Jesus for you — NOW — today? Is He real? Is He relevant? Is He up-to-date enough to handle your very complicated adult issues? If not, then I venture to say you are stuck! You might as well be wearing your old tracksuit from the day you “got off” the God wagon.

Related: Mary, Closest to Jesus, is a Guide for Life

If you are reading this and you think you fall into this “stuck” category — then, by all means, get yourself unstuck. Please go talk to a priest and if you can, find a good spiritual coach or mentor to help propel you forward in your relationship with God.

Growing up a non-Catholic, I was not familiar with spiritual direction until somewhat later in my spiritual journey. I can say, without a doubt, other than personal one-on-one time with God through prayer and reading His word and partaking of Him through the Sacraments, that having a spiritual director has done more to aid me in my spiritual pilgrimage than any other single thing I do.

He not only hears my confessions and answers so many questions I have, he holds me accountable and asks me very insightful questions that help get to the root of all of my spiritual tail-chasing. And then the best part … he prays for me.

If you need help finding a spiritual coach, start by asking your local priest, and, if he is unavailable, ask him for a recommendation. If he cannot help you, call your local diocese office. The people there should have good resources. You will never regret steps you take to get to know God more fully. And you should never go a single day forward without answering Jesus’ eternally present question to you: “But who do you say that I am?”

Related: Struck by God’s Majesty

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

Dear Lord,
I do not want to be stuck! I want to be eternally present with You. I want my relationship with You to work, now, here. Today! Please get me up to speed with You. Help me find the correct tools and people who will help to support me and enable our relationship to flourish. You designed me for a relationship with You and You designed my life to work. Those two facts go hand-in-hand. Lord, by Your grace, guide me to the right Godly resources. There is so much in this world that is not of You, so please direct my feet onto the sure path that leads only to You. For without Your help, I will be forever stuck.

I ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Melissa Overmyer is founder of  Something Greater Ministries in Washington, D.C., and has taught the Bible for over 30 years.