More Than Going Through the Motions

More Than Going Through the Motions

Scripture: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." — Matthew 15:8

Do you ever feel like you are just floating through life? Everything is so routine and scheduled that you could almost exist on autopilot. You wake up each day at around the same time, complete the same morning routine, and even eat many of the same meals week after week.

Most of us thrive in this kind of structure. We have everything situated just right. In fact, some days we get out of our cars when we arrive at our destination and realize we don't even remember the drive.

Sometimes our Christian walk looks the same. We have our set quiet time, we say our daily prayers, we attend church each week, rinse and repeat.

But just like that daily drive, when we finish completing our Christian tasks, do we remember what we read? What we prayed? What God may have been trying to say to us? Or are we simply going through the motions?

When my kids were younger, I regularly told them they needed to get their "have to's" out of the way before they could enjoy their "want to's." Chores and homework came before video games or outings with friends. I was often proud of their timeliness in completing those responsibilities.

But what is gained by rushing?

The driver who races past three cars only to end up at the same stoplight four blocks later; what was gained?

The cook who spends hours preparing a beautiful meal for loved ones, only for everyone to finish eating in fifteen minutes; what was the purpose?

The Bible study participant who rushes through the lesson and study guide thirty minutes before class; what was really learned?

Doing a task simply to check it off a list may make us feel accomplished for a moment, but it often leaves us feeling empty in the long run.

Our Scripture today warns us about this very thing.

Spending a distracted hour reading a devotional and reciting the same prayer every day brings us as close to God as ordering food through a drive-thru creates meaningful conversation.

Completing a task; even if we do it every day; doesn't create connection.

True connection with Christ requires a willingness to slow down and listen. We need to open our hearts and minds to what the Lord wants to share with us.

To do that, we need to change our mindset. Instead of putting our daily devotions, prayer time, or weekly church attendance on a to-do list as something we must complete, we need to move them to our want-to list.

I need to get my "have to's" done because I want to hear what God wants to say to me today. I want to discover what He may be doing in my life or how He may want to use me in the life of someone else.

God has never desired perfect routines more than He desires surrendered hearts. He isn't impressed by how many chapters we read, how many prayers we recite, or how consistently we check the "Christian" boxes. He longs for a relationship with us.

A relationship requires presence, attentiveness, and a willingness to listen. The goal was never simply to complete our quiet time; it was to meet with the One who has been patiently waiting for us.

Reflection

• Have my spiritual disciplines become habits without heartfelt connection?

• When was the last time I slowed down long enough to truly listen for God's voice?

• Am I spending time with God because I feel like I have to, or because I genuinely want to?

• What is one way I can be more intentional in my time with God this week?

  
  

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for always being present, even when I am distracted. Forgive me for the times I have treated my relationship with You like another item to check off my list. Replace my desire to simply complete a routine with a genuine desire to slow down, become quiet, and listen for Your voice.

Open my heart to what You want to teach me today. Draw me into a deeper, more personal relationship with You, and help me to seek Your presence because I delight in being with You, not because I feel obligated. Amen.