Borrowed Truths

The Rut of Repitition

the rut of repetition
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The Rut of Repitition

“I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.” (Amos 5:21)

Do you ever feel as if you are just going through the motions of being a Christian, performing the obligatory items that supposedly set us apart from the world? Vain repetition is what the Scriptures call it, performing the duties with no heartfelt intent or devotion behind them, simply what you have always done, but my friends that repetition can lead quite easily to a form of callousness, and a heart that can, over time, begin to grow cold.

The leaders of works-based religious organizations understand these truths full well, it is why you will hear of a statue bleeding occasionally, why that uplifting moment in the charismatic cults are needed at times, something to rejuvenate the spirit, so to speak, to keep the faithful coming back. Herod wanted to see a magic trick, the Lord said to those present that day, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” (Matt. 16:4)

Do you need a sign, do you need a miracle, whether it be small or great, do you need encouragement to continue on the path? For more than twenty years the only sign that Jeremiah received none of us would desire. How long will you continue on the path without one single sign from the Lord, how long will you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord our God before you determine the miracle of your salvation was not enough, that you need another sign?

I believe there are more people in Evangelical churches on the planet that have fallen into the weeds of the world than those who fell on good ground, and they do not even realize it, the obligations have become repetitive, and they have found comfort in them. Their conversations do not revolve around Christ, but on the things of the world, on selfish, self-centered items, not on the Scriptures. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2nd Tim. 3:5) The motions have become the foundation of their faith, and like the lost in the religious world, their works of repetition are the foundation of their belief that they are saved.

This is not always the case, but it serves as a fitting analogy here, those that sit in the same spot in the same pew week after week, year after year, the path and order of the service on Sunday so ingrained in their minds they need no advance warning of what will occur. And most generally the same individuals will be sitting beside, behind and in front of them every single week. Break the monotony and their faith will falter.

Is your prayer life at the dinner table repetitive? Change it. Do you sit in that same spot? Stop, move to the other side of the church. Do you only read Mark or John? Read the Song of Solomon or Habakkuk. Do not fall into the trap of repetition, for it is a rut worn down slowly that if not realized will take a very long ladder to escape from.

Your prayer life, even your devotional time can become more of a hindrance to your growth than a spirit led journey in the Lord if you are not careful.

Does the Lord see your heart today, or the one you have continuously shown Him for far too long?

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