MATTHEW 6:7 – And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

THEME OF THE DAY. JUST GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS. We all do it in some form or fashion. We might call it “just going through the motions.” It happens in marriages. It might begin with little to no quality communication, selfish neglect, or not having time alone due to the busyness of life and the hustle and bustle of living in the fast-lane. There are no “volcanic” eruptions of anger causing the distancing nor any other cause of deep fracture in the relationship, just a staleness of dull routine or “just going through the motions.” It happens at work .. . “Hi, ho, hi, ho, it’s off to work we go doing the same thing, same time, different day of “just going through the motions.” It happens in church. We get up on Sunday morning after a long exhausting week. Tired, and tempted to “call in sick”, we make our way to church and “just go through the motions” of singing some songs, listening to, but not hearing, the Word preached, and leave unchanged, untouched, and have simply executed a dull religious routine and not encountered the living Lord Jesus. It was another Sunday of “just going through the motions.” It happens in our private devotions. We set aside time to read the Bible and are flooded with a million good distractions, and soon, we are reading the Word but not reading the Word as our minds have already left the room. We simply are “just going through the motions.”

It is perfectly fine to have daily routines. Human beings are creatures of habit. Nothing wrong with having routines. In fact, they are part of a disciplined life. Christians, too, have daily routines to keep life in order, but Christians are called to something else – not be routine in the spiritual things of the Lord. Brothers and sisters, it is fine to be a Christian with a routine. It is not fine to have a routine Christian life. There is nothing routine, dull, or “just going through the motions” when it comes to following Jesus Christ. The Christian life is to be one of purpose, direction, excitement, zeal, and a faithfulness toward obeying God’s Word that is far from routine. In fact, I would go as far to say that a whole-hearted commitment to follow the Lord Jesus through aggressive obedience to His commands guarantees a non-routine Christian life. It actually will produce what Jesus came to give . . . the abundant life. Our Lord said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). There are a lot of things to be said about being a disciple of Jesus Christ but at least three things cannot be sad – “dull”, “boring” or “routine.” So, to avoid a Christian life of “just going through the motions”, what are things we can do? Let me offer three “mind renewals” to keep in our thinking which will help us avoid routine Christian living. They center on His Word, prayer, and His church.

First, to avoid “just going through the motions” when reading the Bible, stop and think what you are about to do; read God’s Word and with each Word read, He is speaking to you as if you were the only person on the planet. Keep this perspective of being in awe of having God’s Word and our reading, studying and meditating will not be routine.

Next, to avoid “just going through the motions” when setting aside time for prayer or attending a church prayer meeting, keep in mind this is the way God meets with His people. Prayer is His prescribed means for communion; for revival; and to develop intimacy between Himself and His people. Let prayer be viewed and practiced as a communication of love between yourself and God and it won’t be routine.

Finally, to avoid “just going through the motions” when coming to church on the Lord’s Day remember we are coming to a family reunion where God has promised to meet with His family. God primarily reveals Himself in the corporate setting to His people, not in our private settings. Also, remember the Lord’s Day worship is to be a glimpse of what heaven is going to be like and heaven is far from routine. Keep these perspectives about church and there will be no “just going through the motions” Sundays. Have routines, beloved, but don’t be routine especially in the things of the Lord. He has provided everything in His Word, church, and by His Spirit to ensure that doesn’t happen.

PRAYER: “Father, help me not reduce my walk with You to mindless routines.”

QUOTE: “It is okay to have routines in the Christian life, but not to be routine. Walking with Christ is never routine.”