This past weekend my daughter and I were watching the Disney movie Tarzan. Most of you know the story of Tarzan and many might have seen the movie. The elephant (Tantor) makes a statement to a gorilla (Terk) after being fed up with his lack of emotions. Terk is hurt because Tarzan went to go live with Jane and will not be around to hang out with Terk anymore. Tantor hears Tarzan holler and is concerned. Terk brushes it off and says he can get his new friends to help him. It's clear that Terk is rather upset. Tantor says, "That's it! I've had it with you and your emotional constipation. Tarzan needs us, and we're gonna help him. You got that?"
I have a background in Social Work and worked many years in community mental health. This particular line just had me cracking up. (Therapist humor I guess.) But I got to thinking about being emotionally and spiritually constipated with my relationship with Christ.
There have been seasons in my life where I have be so distant from God, and He is just pouring blessings on me, and I wonder if He thinks, "I've had it with you and your emotional and spiritual constipation. Stop sitting on the sidelines and be in a relationship with me. I have called you to be on my team and you aren't even putting on your team jersey."
I've been this way with church too. Do I want to commit to something like teaching a small group class? (Emotional and Spiritual Constipation) I'm not crazy about the song selection so therefore I'm not looking forward to worship. (Emotional and Spiritual Constipation) I don't really want to get up and get dressed to go to church. (Emotional and Spiritual Constipation). God, why should I spend time with you when you've let me down so many times? (Emotional and Spiritual Constipation)
Thankfully as I grow with God, I mature in God. I see that being emotionally and spiritually constipated can be selfish, a stumbling block for others, and draining. It's more work sometimes to strip away any emotion and be a shell.
Like Terk needed Tantor to wake up and see he's not being a good friend, sometimes we need to be woken up by God. I know I do. I know that I need God to shake me and say, "I need you to step up and pull your weight as a Christian. You got that?" Does your emotional and spiritual constipation come from a lack of trusting God?
Scripture says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) SEEK God when you are starting to become emotionally and spiritually constipated. Spend time with Him and hear his reasonings for your troubles. You will feel lighter and even happier when you do.
