Going through the motions

To go through the motions is to do something simply because it is expected of you and not because you really want to. It's like playing the part because you don't really have an option; because you have to. It is considered fake and insincere; actions are seen but there is no heart in it.

This reminds me of one Chemu Caroline Saina, who once shared on the topic with so much passion and with tears in her eyes, urged us that rather than go through the motions of being a Christian, we should have a relationship with God. I really do miss this lady, a life well lived and her legend lives on :)

What does it mean to be a believer? What is expected of one and what things or evidence makes one a believer? As Christians we have the Bible to guide us on how we should live and carry ourselves; all life's answers are in the Word of God. For most people, when we received salvation, we were taken through the basics of what we would need to do now that we were saved. We were told the importance of growth and that a stagnant Christian is a dying Christian. For growth to take place, we had to instill spiritual disciplines that included studying the Bible, prayer, fasting and fellowship among others. Question is, do we know why we do what we do? Is there change and impact? Or are we simply going through the motions?

Having been a believer for a while now, there are seasons whereby I have done these disciplines simply because it was expected of me. After all, that is what Christians do, right? They go to church, read the bible, pray and fast among other things. However, it is senseless to do something without understanding, and if it has no impact, then what's the need?

Having a relationship with God is what is key whereby you do all these things for growth and to get to a deeper level with God. He desires that we would seek Him with our all and He be the center of our lives. It doesn't count to do all these things just for the sake. There is more to it than the actions, our desire should be to grow and get deeper in the things of God. Understand why you need to pray, fast, study the Word, serve, evangelize among other things. 

So, have you been going through the motions? Do not waste time doing things just for the sake of it.....it is not worth it and doesn't count. Take a pause, think it through and do things from a point of understanding. God desires that we seek Him with our all. Jeremiah 29:13, 'And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.'' Enjoy the adventure of getting to know God more, taking time to listen to what He has to say as He reveals His Will for your life. 

Wasted Time

I finally get to write after procrastinating for a while now; I am grateful
that this journey has began and interestingly enough I begin from a topic
that is too well known to me :)

We at times get to that place where when thinking through life and where we
currently are, we feel like a lot has passed us by; missed opportunities
and delayed chances. We may get to the point of asking ourselves 'what if
I had done this or that differently?', 'what if I did not procrastinate or
was Just serious about some-things; how far would I be or what difference
would there be in my life.?' Thinking through this, I guess you can relate to
one or two or, for some, all and much more. It could be that you haven't
been faithful in your walk with God or not given much time to the things
that matter such as family; It could be work, business or studies.

But whatever it is, such occurrences are all too common.

The unfortunate aspect about time is that once it has passed, it can not be recovered. This could get one to a place of feeling a failure, disappointment or hopelessness.
This is especially when we start to compare our lives with others and imagine where we would have been if things were done differently. Some people get to the place where so much time has been wasted that they stop to care, they choose to have such attitudes as 'it's done, it's done'; 'its never that serious'; 'what's the worse that can happen'; 'nothing much can change, so
why bother'.

Reality is, at times, it is that serious, your life could depend on it and
more time wasted could make things worse. Staying in the place of regret or
despair does not change anything; it actually makes the situation worse.
You may have missed out on a great opportunity or chance but that is not
the end, there is always hope. Things may not have gone as planned or hoped
for or they may just not be working out but don't give up, something can still
be done. Regardless of how much time and chance has been wasted, God is
still not done with you yet and He still has an awesome plan for your life;
you just need to believe it and get back on track.

Get up and start where you are. Do not concentrate on where you would have
been rather start with where you are and look forward to where you want to
go. Change what needs to be changed and get moving, as long as you are
still breathing, much can be done. What change do you need to make?, what
friends do you need to drop or take up? Whatever it takes to make that
change do it, get up and Stop wasting time, your days are numbered so make
them count.

Stay blessed and may God grant you grace as you do what needs to be done :)