I'm not exaggerating.

Hundreds of us students would gather together every Wednesday night to focus all of the energy and passion in our bodies onto one thing: GOD! It was a rush. Every time we got together it was the same agenda: pray, sing, and talk about Jesus. To add fuel to a fire that was already going, we would have retreats, youth conventions and spontaneous worship gatherings.

It was like we were dating Jesus. Everything was new and emotional. We couldn't wait 'til the next time we were in His presence.

Fast forward 20 years. I'm reminded that the hype and passion and emotions and feeling doesn't last forever. At some point it's going to fade. Then it will come back. Then it will fade again.

In many ways it's like a marriage. At some point, commitment needs to take over in order to prepare us for the highs and lows of our spiritual journey.

So when I don't feel like it, I still pray... I still worship... I still serve... I still study the Bible... I still keep moving forward. Because following Jesus is a long-term commitment that cannot be based on short-term emotions.