In Psalm 51:12 (MSG), the psalmist, King David, pleads for the joy he once received after he repented of his sins: “Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!”  This verse is about restoration, but it also powerfully speaks to the joy and freedom that salvation brings. That moment when God lifts the weight off your soul, fills you with His peace, love, and power through the Holy Spirit, and gives you a clean slate—it’s unmatched. There’s nothing like it. And deep down, we wish we could live in that moment forever—that place where everything feels brand new, and God feels so close that we can almost touch Him.

But then life happens. That newness starts to wear off. That initial fire we had—the awe, the praise, the tears and hunger to be in God’s presence all the time—starts to cool down. We don’t mean to drift, but little by little, the routine settles in. We start to look at the spiritual practices that keep us sharp and fresh as tasks rather than treasures. Before we know it, we’re going through the motions with hearts that feel a little dry. It’s not that we’ve stopped believing—it’s just that we’ve stopped feeling that fresh wind in our sails.

We know the deal—that drift from the spiritual enthusiasm and deep joy doesn’t happen overnight. It’s usually subtle. It gets buried under busyness, distraction, disappointment, or dissatisfaction. Sometimes we get hit with real-life stuff that shakes our faith a little. Other times, we settle into comfort zones and stop stretching ourselves spiritually. And without even realizing it, we trade in the wonder for routine. That’s when we start surviving off of old testimonies and prayers that lack faith instead of living in fresh encounters with the Father. We know He’s still good. We know He’s still with us. But that deep joy—that spark we once felt—starts to feel like a memory instead of a wonderful move of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us, and that’s a beautiful thing. He extends a continual invitation to return to our first love. He doesn’t shame us for drifting; He just wants us back close. Revelation 2:4–5 (NLT) says, “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.” This right here is a wake-up call for sure. It’s that continual invitation from God, letting us know that when the newness wears off, it’s not the end. It’s a signal that it’s time to return to the One who never changes.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT) reminds us, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” That means the intimacy we’re missing is still available. The fire can burn again. The joy can rise to new levels, but it’s not about performance—it comes through pursuing our Heavenly Father. Psalm 16:11 (NLT) says, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” The joy we’re longing for is found in His presence. Not in doing more, but in being with Him.

If we want that fresh wind back, we’ve got to go back to the Source. Hosea 6:1 says, “Come, let us return to the Lord.” That’s the posture. That’s the move. God isn’t waiting with crossed arms; He’s waiting with open arms, ready to restore us, refresh us, and reignite the flame. James 4:8 assures us that when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. So, if you’ve been feeling distant, dry, or stuck, don’t let shame keep you quiet. Don’t let guilt convince you to settle. Lift your eyes and go back to the One who gave you joy in the first place. He hasn’t changed His mind about you. He still calls you His. And He still knows how to breathe new life into tired hearts. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When the Newness Wears off”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.