Beware the Take-you-for-granted-hum-drum-yawn-producing-mechanical-routine relationship

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Isn’t divorce heartbreaking?  Whether you have personally experienced it or simply have observed it from afar, I hope you can agree with me: it is always heartbreaking.  But it galls me even more to see in the news the tale of the latest celebrity divorce with this fraudulent tag: “We have mutually agreed to this separation and remain the best of friends.”  They might as well add, “We became bored and both agreed we needed a spice of excitement in our lives by trading each other in for the newest model.” 

I know, I know—that might be slightly unfair, but either their press release is untrue or they in fact did become mutually bored. 

The important discussion on the sanctity of marriage must be saved for another time, but the attitude that leads to such a boredom-driven divorce is a discussion for today.  The take-you-for-granted-hum-drum-yawn-producing-mechanical-routine is what kills many marriages.  Yet many people remain married because they are devoted to the idea of marriage, but not to their spouse. 

Likewise, the sin of take-You-for-granted-hum-drum-yawn-producing-mechanical-routine is what kills oh so many relationships with God.  Yet many people remain Christian because they are devoted to the idea of Christianity, but not to God.  God has been gently convicting me of this lately with some pointed questions. 

• Do I feel like my relationship with God is on cruise control?
• Is my prayer life more like an answering machine than a heartfelt conversation with my best friend?
• Do I read my Bible simply to check it off my list?
• Is God the center of my day?

These questions reveal the subtle stumbling point of viewing yourself first and foremost as a Christian rather than taking the focus off of yourself entirely and looking at God: Your loving, redeeming Father who adopted you, giving you hope when you had none.  Truly,

“We love Him because He first loved us. (I John 4:19)”

Ephesians 2:11-14 renews my wonder at this miracle:

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” 

I could quote the entire book of Ephesians, but I will restrain myself and urge you to read it yourself.  While you are at it, examine your heart with me: Are you in love with the idea of being a Christian, or with Christ?  Are you growing in knowledge of how to act like a Christian or in knowledge of Christ and how to imitate Him?  Are you enchanted more by conservative ideals or by God Himself?  Is your first priority when your eyes open in the morning to talk to your Savior?  Don’t let the relationship digress into take-You-for-granted-hum-drum-yawn-producing-mechanical-routine.  It’s fatal. 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.