As the days of summer roll by, it’s easy to get in a rut of just doing the same things over and over. We hit a stride and then nothing changes much. Life just seems to go on making daily demands of our time.
It seems to me we could change some or all of this. Maybe, be more sensitive to what is going on around us. Maybe, be more excited about new Christians or about going on the same vacation, to the same place, every year. Somehow without trying we develop the “same ole” disease. It comes so subtly and to the young and the old alike.
So, how do we first of all know we will have the “same ole” disease and then what do we do about it? Well, if you always do things the same way everyday with no excitement or enthusiasm, you probably have the “same ole” disease.
Now what do we do about it? There must be a desire for change. Without a desire, things will stay the same or get worse. We are creatures of habit. Change is not easy nor is it without pain, but to have results it must happen. Remember the saying, “the same routine makes Jack a dull boy.”
There are things we can do, in fact many things. Get a new hobby, maybe something extreme by changing jobs, change your meal times or even the food you eat, drive to work a different way, get out and meet new people, take a vacation, spend more time with your family, join a group that helps other people, etc. There are many things you can do to make a difference.
Maybe even as Christians who volunteer, we need to change what we volunteer for or how we serve. We serve a God of new beginnings. New brings both challenge and excitement. New is the cure for the “same ole” disease. Like Peter stepping out of the boat, we must step out of our comfort zone. I don’t believe God ever intended for our lives to be perfect but not to be boring either.
What we are like, we are because we choose to be that way. Growing Christians are constantly changing. To stand still is to die spiritually. Any little thing can make a big difference. Dissatisfaction is a good thing from time to time. Then we look for ways to change and bring satisfaction.
When you discover you have the “same ole” disease, the first obstacle to over come is you. You must admit what you have discovered is true. You are in a rut and must either stay there or do something about it. The first step is the hardest, then you are on the way to a cure.
Life is so full of blessings but also full of blessing-robbers. The “same ole” is one big blessing-robber. It’s one that may be hard to see and harder to overcome. But with Gods help nothing is impossible. You can do it!
Chaplain Bud,
Christian Church at Cogan Station
(570 998-2989)