Lost in a familiar place

There is a common understanding that men don't like to look at a map. We like to wander around aimlessly until we figure it out. Now in the era of GPS, men will put in the destination, follow the route, then midway through venture off course because "they know a shortcut." Most people, however, put the directions into their GPS and follow the voice without really thinking about where they're going.

Another reason why people don't generally look at maps is because they know the route. They drive it so much that they don't even have to think about it. It becomes routine. When routes become routine, you don't have to pay attention. I know, there was a time when I drove one route so many times, I literally arrived at work and couldn't recall driving there!

For a lot of us, that's how Christianity is. We get into the habit of routine and think that we're doing okay because that's the way that we've always done it. Then... as time goes on, we stop doing things like praying, or studying our Bible... we arrive at church for the last part of praise and worship and leave immediately when the sermon is over. Many stop taking communion, because it just makes the service a little longer and they've filled all the check boxes so they're good... right?

As a result, the things that were really important to us at first seam... less important now - like reading our Bible and meditating on what it says. The lessons that we're teaching our kids... well, to be honest, we aren't really teaching them anything. We're expecting them to learn it in church. And how it affects our lives? Well... we have our notes and we can read what the Pastor talked about during church service. 

Church service... that's exactly what it feels like. We have completed our serving "obligation" by giving God 90 minutes of our time on Sunday.

The question is... what's the problem? 

Judges 2:10
The Message (MSG)
Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn't know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel. 

From a historical perspective - the words above were written to the generation after Joshua! They had gone into the land of promise and had fought many great battles. God had demonstrated his incredible love for his people... and they had their houses, they had their jobs, they got into their routine... and they forgot about God.

Okay... that's an Old Testament example. We have grace now... that could never happen... right?

Galations 4:8-11
The Message (MSG)
8-11Earlier, before you knew God personally, you were enslaved to so-called gods that had nothing of the divine about them. But now that you know the real God—or rather since God knows you—how can you possibly subject yourselves again to those paper tigers? For that is exactly what you do when you are intimidated into scrupulously observing all the traditions, taboos, and superstitions associated with special days and seasons and years. I am afraid that all my hard work among you has gone up in a puff of smoke!

It's so easy to get caught up in tradition, and not doing things that we shouldn't, making sure that we're in church on Easter and Christmas... and at least 50% of the other Sundays and we think we're doing something good.

God promises abundant life he wants us to be out there experiencing His grace as we share His word to a world that is lost... instead... we get complacent... and it becomes difficult to tell Christians from the world.

My prayer is that I fight against just checking off the check boxes in my life. I truly desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Selah.