I was on vacation last week, so I wanted to share an article I originally wrote back in the winter of 2016 on dealing with routine and motivation in the Christian life.
I remember speaking to someone who compared the Christian life to their oral hygiene. They said, “It’s like brushing my teeth. I don't have a desire to do it, but I know that it's good for me, and I believe my dentist has the best interest for my teeth.” I wonder whether you identify with these words. I did. Let me share with you some of what I wrote in case it helps when you find yourself going through the motions in your relationship with God.
Have you ever wondered why others in the church don’t care the way you do? Have you at least noticed that they don’t? If you haven’t felt this yet, before long you probably will. When I first felt this, I didn’t ask the why question; I assumed it. I assumed that other people didn’t care the way I did because they just didn’t care. I assumed that it must be a deficiency in their faith or their passion or something! What I was experiencing was real, but my assumptions about it were all wrong. Let me explain why other Christians don’t care the way that you do.
This week someone from the congregation wrote the following: "Diving deeper into the sermon, I think what you said really stuck with me. I feel like in a nutshell that's my Christian life. You know I try to do what I'm supposed to do. Read my Bible, pray, go to church, help the poor, all the physical aspects. But as you said there is still something missing, a refresh. Sadly, I can't even say I have a desire or a thirst. I just do it because I love God and know everything he says and orders us to do is out of his love and perfection. Its like brushing my teeth, I don't have a desire to do it. But I know that it's Good for me, and my dentist has the best interest for my teeth." I wonder whether many of you identify with these words. I did. Let me share with you some of what I wrote in case it’s a help to you when you find yourself going through the motions in your relationship with God.
