Our previous home was built in 1945. Old when we bought it and lots older when we sold it. We put sweat and tears into that place (especially by my wife), and too much money, which barely came back to us when it was sold, as it had appreciated very little over the twenty years we had lived there. At times, it felt like it owned us! You know the feeling? I hope not.

One persistent and unsightly issue was drainage. We lived on a hillside, which provided panoramic views of the rivers below us, the Pacific Ocean to our west, and even the summit of Mt. Rainier, on a crystal-clear winter day, looking out our kitchen windows. Above ground, we relished incomparable scenery. But it was below ground that messed with us. As in broken pipes.

These were vintage clay ones that ushered our abundant Pacific Northwest rainwater from our gutters and downspouts, flowing over our sloped driveway, to the streets below, and then to who-knows-where. Sounds good, doesn’t it? However, over the years, long before we became owners, the pipes began to deteriorate. The drains collapse, clogging waterways, causing liquid messes to creep into myriad crevices, especially our basement and garage. Try clearing out the clay debris to unclog the passage, and you’ll discover why broken underground pipes are a homeowner’s nightmare.

Spiritually, that’s also true. When sin breaks us down and neutralizes our conscience. Or our will to follow God falters, and we try to hide from Him, maybe fooling those around us, but never pulling the wool over His eyes. No can do!

‘Broken pipes’ occur when we stop praying. Lose confidence that the Lord hears us. Becomes hot air and a colossal waste of time. Or when dust gathers on our Bibles. And we hear less of Jesus’ voice. Or proceed with what we know is dead wrong, roughing it out, telling God to take a hike, so to speak, hoping to get away with it, suspecting that we won’t. And we don’t. Stubborn fools.

Like God’s family in Jeremiah 2: 13–‘…for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.’

Turning their backs on God cuts them off from life-giving water. The wells that they build for themselves break down, empty out, and wind up dry as dust.

Might this be you today? Feeling far from Jesus? Not where you want to be? Any ideas on how to return to Him? You must have some. Think hard. And ask for the Lord’s help. Turn around, and you’ll find Him with open arms, waiting patiently and lovingly for your return…to Him.

On the other hand, if you’re blessed with experiencing closeness to Jesus, then keep on doing what you’re doing. Don’t slack off. It’s too easy to become distracted. Stay focused on Jesus. Keep your spiritual hands digging up the old, busted, junky clay pipes and replacing them with new PVC ones that won’t break or corrode. Pray. Dive into your Bible. Remove what’s causing any breakdown that keeps you even a tiny bit from your Lord.

It’s a new year. Make the most of it. Get that spiritual drainage problem fixed. Don’t say you’ll do it. Do it!

Lord God, help me to live more for you. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.