"Never be lacking in zeal; but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."
Romans 12:11
If you have kept up with my blog, or read my book, then you are aware that music speaks to me. Matthew West has done a song called The Motions that makes me stop and think about my every-day life each time I hear it. There are so many days that I feel like I am just existing. I don't really do anything purposeful... no meaning... nothing important... just going through the motions. It's very easy to get bored and fall into the "nothingness of life".
You see, I am a stay at home mom who home-schools her children. It's summer, so we don't have school to do. We are a one-car family, so when my husband gets up at 3:30am and takes the car to work, we are home-bound. I get up fairly early, try to spend some time alone with the Lord, and then wonder, "What's next?" The kids sleep in because I let them stay up later at night, so my mornings are quiet. My husband gets home in the early afternoon and usually takes a quick nap. Then it's time to fix dinner; clean up dinner; watch a little television maybe....and the day is over. The next day, we start again.Very little variation in the day-to-day schedule, except when Sunday rolls around. But, if we're not careful, Sundays can very easily become the same week to week routine.
Most of the time, I think I am doing just what I am supposed to be doing. I love my husband and children; try to be the wife and mother God has appointed me to be. I love God with all my heart; pray; read my Bible; go to church regularly...all those things good Christians are supposed to do.
But...is that enough?
Is that all there is?
What am I really doing to affect the Kingdom of God?
I don't want to just go through the motions. I don't want to do "just enough". Paul tells us to never be lacking in zeal. What is zeal? And what does it mean to have spiritual fervor? Zeal is defined as "intensity; eager desire; passion." So, how do we put that intensity, that eagerness into our every day, hum-drum lives? How do we keep that spiritual fervor, when it seems that nothing special is happening? These are the questions I have been asking God lately...
I don't exactly know what it means to "press in". But I know it involves stepping outside our comfort zone. There are things God has asked me to do that I am not comfortable with. But I believe as we become more willing to step out in faith and do what He has asked us, then the "nothingness of life" will become more exciting and satisfying.
I don't want to go through the motions
I don't want to go one more day
Without Your all consuming
Passion inside of me
I don't want to spend my whole life asking
"What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions?"
Instead of going through the motions?"
Colossians 3:23,24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is Christ you are serving."
My challenge to myself today, and to you, is whatever you are doing...do it with all your heart; be zealous in what you do. And do it as if you were working for the Lord...for indeed you are. Look for opportunities to step outside your comfort zone.
Let's give Him everything...instead of going through the motions.
3 comments:
I never home-schooled (so you are amazing), but I worked at jobs where my children were w/me, so it seems mostly that I was what you would call a stay at home mom. One is 21 and the other is 16, and my routine was much like yours. I would say the much heard "your children & family are your ministry" but what I want you to know is more like... Comfort zone? Say "NO" more, consistently discipline and reward, teach them about money, I never did the allowance thing and wish I would have. Build family traditions, meals, crafts, decorations, Be zealous about traditions, they will bring so much richness in the years to come. If you are doing all that then stretch out of your comfort zone and ask for more. Model healthy self-care, date nights, take off once in awhile. That's all I was thinking. Oh and keep praying with your kids. You rock.
'Lena,
Thank you for blessing others with your writing. I just finished your book last night and you reminded me of so many things that I know, but don't always remember or believe: God is my source, comfort, peace, and strength. As I enter this new phase of my life--being a single mother and widow--I am hanging onto those attributes of God's. I want to model Godly zeal.
Lena,
I have had the same thoughts lately. Just feeling like I'm going through the motions but wondering if this is what I'm supposed to be doing or if God has something else. This really reminded me that I am in His will. I need to be content in the place I'm in right now and work like I'm working for the Lord...because I am:) Thank you for sharing. Your posts always bless me.
Lindsay
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