Dear Family of St John’s
Part of my childhood was spent on our family farm in the eastern Free State, many of my fondest memories are centred on the farm, which was called Libertas. A key memory is going for walks – whether it was the every-afternoon-walks with my grandparents around the various gardens, or to the nearby Woodlands to play with my cousins, through the orchards with my dad, or up the Kop (small mountain) with other family members. There was always something interesting to find. The race home at full speed down the hill from the Kop, to see who could reach the farmhouse first, was always fabulous!
I remember once asking my dad to explain why the rock art paintings in the caves on the farm were so faded. In some places they were barely visible. And asking why some parts of the rock on the Kop were so smooth, especially where the streams ran after it rained. And, I remember his explanation about erosion. And, how it was also important to plough and lay out the farmlands in certain ways to prevent erosion.
One definition of erosion is ‘the gradual destruction or diminution of something’. This doesn’t only happen to rocks and on farmlands, it happens in our faith life too.
I think of it as the slow fade of our faith. It’s not a dramatic decision to walk away from God it’s more subtle, a quiet drift – a series of small compromises and unnoticed influences that gradually pull us away from the passion we once had. Over time, we might not even realize how we’ve slipped from a vibrant faith to a more lukewarm relationship with God.
In a world full of distractions, it’s easy for our faith to become diluted. It doesn’t happen through bold temptations, but rather through the slow dimming of our spiritual focus. Busyness, secular values, and distractions can slowly pull us away from our first love.
In Revelation 2:4, Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus, saying, “You have forsaken the love you had at first.” It’s not about outright rejection, but about a gradual, unnoticed drift. Their once passionate faith had become routine and mechanical.
Today, distractions like work, social media, and entertainment can easily crowd out our spiritual lives. We might justify skipping a Bible study because we’re “too busy” or ignore that small tug in our heart to spend time in prayer because the latest Netflix series has our attention.
We may not notice at first, but small choices add up. While these things aren’t inherently bad, they can become subtle threats to our faith when placed before God.
Casting Crowns, in their song “The Slow Fade”, describes how the drift from God often begins with seemingly harmless choices: “It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away… when black and white have turned to gray.” It’s not a conscious decision to turn away from God; it starts with small compromises that build up until we realize we’ve drifted.
In Matthew 6:24, Jesus reminds us we can’t serve two masters. When we chase the temporary things of this world, we risk losing the eternal treasure Christ offers.
The Strength of Faith in Persecution
On our recent visit to Egypt, however, I noticed something interesting. In places where Christians face persecution, their faith often grows stronger, not weaker. In countries where it’s illegal to profess faith, believers cling to Jesus with a fervour and depth that many of us might envy.
In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, Paul says, ” We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
The trials they face force them to hold on to what truly matters – Christ and His promises.
In contrast, we have the luxury of comfort. We think that this is a blessing. And, I suppose in many ways it is. But, those in the persecuted church pray for US… that we might not lose our faith because we’re so comfortable. That flips things around, doesn’t it?
We aren’t persecuted for our beliefs, and yet we can slowly slip into complacency. Without the pressure of adversity, it’s easy for our faith to become lukewarm, to forget the urgency of the Gospel, and to take for granted the privileges we enjoy as believers.
The good news is, we don’t have to let our faith slip away. We can fight the slow fade by being intentional.
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Make Time for God – In our busy lives, it’s important to set aside time for prayer, Bible reading, worship, and fellowship to connect with God.
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Guard Your Heart – Proverbs 4:23 says, ” Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Be mindful of what you watch, listen to, and consume – are they drawing you closer to God?
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Cultivate Gratitude – Don’t take God’s blessings for granted. Taking time to thank Him, even for the small things, keeps us focused on His goodness.
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Stay Connected – The Christian life is meant to be lived together. Being part of our church community encourages our faith and helps us grow in love and service.
The slow fade can easily lead us to a place of spiritual complacency. But the good news is that God is always ready to draw us back to Himself. Just as a shepherd goes after the lost sheep, God will meet us where we are and help us reignite that passion for Him.
I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the state of your own faith. Are you burning brightly for Christ, or has the light of your devotion dimmed? If you’ve found yourself drifting, it’s not too late to turn back.
Let’s make sure our hearts remain fully devoted to Him, holding fast to the truth of His Word and the power of His love.
With love
Your friend and rector,
Claire