I recently dug an old pair of sneakers out of my shoe rack, hoping for a change of pace. Instead, I found cracked soles, with the tiny rubber cushioning balls spilling all over the floor. They were completely ruined. It reminded me of what my late wife used to say – shoes left sitting for too long always get spoilt.

The same thing happened with a car I used to own. Because I seldom drove it, the battery constantly went flat. My mechanic warned me that stagnation doesn’t just kill the battery – it causes the brakes and other parts to seize up and decay.

Understanding Stagnation-Induced Decay

This is the law of stagnation-induced decay. It applies to shoes, cars, muscles, and minds. If you don’t use them regularly, you don’t just fail to grow – you deteriorate.

Our spiritual lives follow the exact same rule.

It is easy to take God for granted. We treat Him like an emergency roadside service, thinking, He will always be there when I have a flat tire. But a relationship left on a shelf decays. When we neglect daily intimacy with God, we find our hearts hardening. Suddenly, entering His presence feels difficult, and seeking Him feels like a chore. Stagnation breeds distance.

Why We Must Intentionally Draw Near to God

Scripture gives us a direct antidote to this spiritual decay: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” – James 4:8a

God is not hiding from you, but a vibrant relationship requires daily movement. You cannot coast on yesterday’s prayers. To keep your faith from cracking like old shoe soles, you must intentionally stay close, cling to Him, and follow Him every single step of the way.

Keep Your Faith Moving Forward

Don’t let your faith sit on the shoe rack. Choose one deliberate action today to stir your spiritual life back into motion. Spend ten minutes in quiet prayer, read a single chapter of scripture, or text a friend to encourage them. Movement defeats decay.

I invite you to say this prayer.
Father, forgive me for the times I have kept You on the shelf, only calling when I am in trouble. I don’t want a stagnant faith. Help me to move toward You today in small, faithful steps. Open my heart to feel Your presence close by. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.