Breaking The Routine

May 31, 2021

We are called to tackle whatever obstacle that is on the horizon. This even means breaking the routine itself if must.

It’s another year. A start of a new decade where one becomes a victim of hearing various jokes incorporating very plain and obvious references to eyesight. This year is going to be painfully unfunny.

Despite that, there are many opportunities to be had in this new decade. This New Year brings the invitation of moving forward. This is a very noble pursuit indeed. At the same time, we must look back so that we don't repeat past mistakes. People who don't reflect on these mistakes are doomed to repeat them in the future. We are called to tackle whatever obstacle that is on the horizon. Dealing with these issues will result in a much healthier state of mind and a strong relationship with Jesus and our fellow church members.

While the start of a New Year brings the invitation of a new initiative, I refrain from calling these call to actions a New Years Resolution. The process of growing spiritually is a perpetual, ongoing task. The pursuit of finding strength in God’s word is a constant pursuit.

Sunday As A Work Day (When one becomes a slave to routine)

The topics that are covered are generally a result of what I witness within the church setting. As such, a sermon or message should be crafted around the issues that are affecting those within that setting. Topics that are having a direct impact within the spiritual realm are relevant. The message that I speak of are often inspired by events that transpire throughout the weeks leading up to the sermon. One could liken this to how a church member gets his material. Getting the material for this sermon was far easier as a lot has been weighing on my mind for awhile. In fact, this original draft of this particular sermon was 12 pages before realizing that their was enough content for two sermons.

Part of the inspiration for this message was the start of the New Year. However, a massive amount of the quote “inspiration”, if one calls it that, is being locked into a particular routine.

I will be very honest with you; I don’t like bulletins. On one hand, they are a necessary evil. One needs structure. Despite that, when inspiration can occur at a given moment, the role of the bulletin becomes unimportant. Their nothing wrong with a general outline, but that what’s the bulletin is just suppose to just be; a general outline. It’s not suppose to be this strict guideline of code that one conforms to and not deviate from.

As anyone knows, the future is not written in stone. Any number of things can occur that could determine the flow of a Sunday service. It’s demanding commitment from a attribute that you can’t get commitment from: time. The bulletin is suppose conform to the format of the church service, not the other way around.

On the surface, this seems very petty. However, there is a much bigger issue at play. That issue is when emphasis is placed on the format of the service rather than the act of worship itself, Sunday is essentially reduced to a workday when this occurs.

For those who play a active role, Sunday often feels just like another work day. When routine takes the place of worship, the feeling of church turns into despair, as if one is going to prison. One becomes a slave to routine.

It’s important not to fall into the same traps that can already defeat the purpose of that new beginning before it even starts. The first thing that we need to realize is that those who render help to their church do so out of love, the kindness of their hearts, or at the very least; out of courtesy. These devoted members are not obligated to perform these acts, and as a result, their help shouldn’t be taken for granted. On one hand, we are called to be servants. At the same time, we can’t treat the servants as slaves. That taking advantage of help and acts of kindness.

All to often, when many see acts of kindness, they take them for granted because they feel that the members of the congregation are supposed to. As a result, acts of kindness become expected, and thus, routine. Since the acts are taken for granted, they feel as if occasional breaks are unnecessary. Thus, Sunday becomes a job, and not a day of worship. Help is taken for granted. Routine is important. However, Sunday shouldn’t be defined by that routine, and following it to a tee shouldn’t be the defining attribute of that day. If a church succeeds, it’s in spite of, not because of, routine.

When spiritual leaders expect kindness, those delivering it feel like they are being taken advantage of. Entering a church is suppose to feel like a enlightening experience, not a workshop where one punches in and performs their task. There are no breaks from this routine. One would be convinced that deviation from it might cause the universe to implode on itself violently. Singing a different tune from the songbook could result in a tornado of sharks consuming me. I never realized that these odds were against me! Deviation from that expected routine is presented as a catastrophic disaster.

The Gates of Hell won’t open up if their was a slight deviation from the program. Demanding routine though will kills spirituality. When one sings a song, it’s because they want to, not because they feel that they’re expected too. When one does a congregational reading, it’s because they want to, not because they feel that they’re expected too. Expectation of routine without deviation becomes a jail sentence for those that play a active role.

If no breaks are presented, burnout sets in. Burnout is a result of when a monotonous routine is set in action. Occasional rest and a break from the stringent routine is essential as it prevent burnout.

Wanting and needing rest is not a sign of weakness. When no rest occurs, anger and frustration sets in. For those who play a active role, constant demand to routine without a break causes love to turn to anger and contempt. Jesus needed rest from the multitudes that probably drove him crazy at times. The disciples needed rest occasionally. It renews the person’s spiritual will.

Your spirituality won’t be devastated if one tune in the song book is different from what you expect. Your faces won’t melt if there is a slight mistake or deviation in execution. The Gates of Hell won’t open if there are modifications in the bulletin. The structure is nice, but it’s not essential for guidance or spirituality. It’s just the means to the end, not the end itself, with that being Jesus's Salvation. The New Year is a opportunity to realize that while we need to acknowledge routine, we shouldn’t become a slave to it. We can’t ignore or dismiss those that have played a active role in the church or take them for granted.

Don’t Treat God’s Word Simply As a Reference Or Textbook

In order to understand Jesus, we need to know who he is and what defines him. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John provide the main idea of this man. They describe his life, his teachings, his miracles, and his death and resurrection. They describe him as a man that embraced a mission that was consumed by servitude for God and dedicated to leading people through love, kindness, and compassion. This mission is spiritual in nature. He’s the Messiah that the disciples recognized and he’s God’s Son. He died on the cross for our sins.

The Gospels provide the main description of Jesus and his mission. The Gospels are very accessible as well. This is why it’s important to read the Bible. At the same time, the act of reading the Bible isn’t enough in itself. Far from it actually. In itself, the Bible is simply a book with printed text. The Bible by itself can’t get you into Heaven. Only Jesus's gift of Salvation can do that.

Unfortunately, many think that just looking at the Bible at face-value guarantees real-estate in the Heavenly realm. Self-righteousness takes over as one critiques unhealthy and unproductive remarks from that spiritual ivory towers that they constructed. If a person encounters personal issues, then their seen as mere pathetic mortals that failed to embrace God’s word. People go through various issues, regardless of whether they read the Bible or not. There is a lot more to life’s circumstances than what meets the eye.

Suffering is a part of life’s experience, and it’s spares no one, no exception. This is regardless of one’s religion/spirituality, race, gender, income bracket, or nationality. Where all equal to it. Many who often claim to uphold God’s law to the highest often are the most guilty of reducing God’s word to a textbook, and not the living word that it’s intended. Law over spirituality.

As such, in order to prevent one from falling into old habits and repeating these mistakes in the New Year and decade, we must refrain from viewing the Bible in this manner. Many within their spiritual ivory towers often reduced God’s word in this manner. This occurred in Jesus’s day too. Their was a group that assumed that just reading God’s Law alone guaranteed spirituality; they were called Pharisees. Jesus transcends beyond the printed text of the laws that they quoted. He fulfilled them fully with his blood.

The Pharisees in Jesus’s day were quick to quote scripture, as many do now. Many often quickly quote scripture not as a result of showing one’s commitment to his word, but to reinforce their worldview. God’s word was not intended to be used in this manner. Anyone can quote scripture, but it takes a believer to understand the context and meaning behind that scripture. The words are intended for those to live by it, not just reference to be used at convenience. When starting this New Year, it’s important not to fall into the trap of misusing the Bible for one’s own self-purpose.

A New Year brings the opportunity for one to be closer to God’s word. One who embraces his teachings and Jesus’s sacrifices are called to display the attributes that our Savior embraces: love, kindness, and compassion. This allows those to reach out and display compassion and understanding to those suffering or going through personal issues and sympathizes or emphasizes with them. A outlet is provided for those who are suffering from their issues. Sometimes, the only thing one wants is a voice that will listen to them. A grand entrance or elaborate sermon isn’t needed. Sometimes, one just needs a quick pep talk that they can relate too, not elaborate platitudes coated with sentimental words.

While in the pursuit of spiritual growth, the question that one would need to ask is if they are displaying the attributes that are defined by Jesus. Are we defining ourselves by the attributes of love, kindness, and compassion? In order to answer this question, one would be required to do self examination and a little bit of soul searching. Are we living up to what Jesus calls on us to do? If we aren’t then what do we do to fix that? If we are, then what can we do to improve things even more? Again, this is why prayer is essential. It provides the communicate that will provide the answers. Sometimes, the answer will be quick. Sometimes, the answer requires those asking to absorb life’s experiences, both the positive and negative, for many years before there is a response. The Lord’s concept of time is very different from our own. God invented time, but the measurement of time was a creation of man that the Lord doesn’t conform too.

Sometimes, this reflection will provide the responses that have been obvious the whole time. The answers will be unique to a person depending on their personal circumstances. While Salvation to Jesus is constant and never-changing, a person’s individual response to his Salvation will be unique to that person, and their isn’t a one-size-fit’s all approach to that Salvation. One person’s call to action and response will be different from someone else’s. It’s up to the individual to see what God is calling them to do.

Are we reaching out to those in need? Jesus calls on us to display compassion to those who are suffering and reach out to them in a loving manner. We do the things that we do because we love Jesus. We help those who are in need of it. If someone needs a shoulder to cry on, then we provide that shoulder. If someone is suffering from a issue, then we listen to them so we can try to relate to the suffering and what they’re going through. If someone needs a bottle of water or a cup of coffee, we provide them that drink. We empathize with people and give them that guidance so that they can deal with their issues and inner demons. We do this with a loving smile as the simplest acts of kindness screams volumes.

Recently, I saw a documentary about Fred Rogers and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. He had the simplest of messages, but displayed love and kindness to everybody within eye and earshot. His message was for everybody. Love and kindness was delivered in the calmest and quietest of demeanor. The irony was that God was never mentioned on that show, but yet, far more of God’s love was demonstrated on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and to millions that watched it compared to the millionaire televangelist that screamed God at the top of their lungs on TBN.

The one that demonstrated God’s love in the softest manner screamed volumes about his loving heart while those that screamed his name the loudest are the ones that are muted the most. The voices are mute for those that scream the Lord’s name, but yet, make a constant mockery of God’s word through manipulation for spectacle and profit.

Another good pointer when invoking the New Year is to start it off with a prayer. As noted earlier, prayer builds that strong relationship with God as it allows one to communicate with him.

Don’t Start Off The New Year With A Empty Catch Phrase

As noted, this sermon serves as a caution of what not to do when starting the New Year by repeating bad habits. Often, many become complacent in their faith and as a result, will often toss around responses without much thought. Catch sayings enter the picture. Some do inadvertently make their way into sermons, like mine; so even I’m guilty of this. As a result, I will need to re-read this sermon, find such sayings, and replace them with their proper context.

Catch sayings are not productive as they reduce God’s word to empty platitudes, trivializing Jesus’s teachings in the process. Phrases like: “What Would Jesus Do”, “God Has Big Plans For Me”, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, “I heard you pray the sinners prayer”, “Christians aren’t perfect; they are just forgiven”, “It’s easy to be saved”, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”, “Let go and let God”, “Love the sinner, hate the sin”, etc. Sayings that mean well, but loose their meaning when reduced to bumper sticker content, empty Facebook memes. and cliches that are abused constantly to the point of having zero meaning.

Many, never known for their restraint; will abuse these phrases to the point of ears bleeding. Many have fallen into the bad habit of lazily incorporating them without much thought. Sometimes, they will be incorporated to invoke a crowd response or other times, they find their way in because well…..that what many expect, or they perceive that’s what those within earshot expect.

Their is no accomplishment or validation when such phrases are used. One can’t convey their thoughts or message in a clear, detailed, and articulated manner when relying on them. A well-written article or sermon that’s then posted on the Internet accomplishes far more than some empty catch saying. Catch sayings are also unproductive as they are often abused by many for the purpose of unwanted and unhealthy attention seeking. The use of catch-phrases will hurt a person’s Christian witness.

Many of time, the expected text-book answers are provided on impulse, and those providing them hope for the best, while being indifferent to the spiritual needs of those listening. For those listening, hearing catch phrases thrown around as generic responses implies that those speaking to them aren’t taking them or their issues seriously. For those that live on catch phrases, it’s important to step back and wonder how others view them when using such phrases are used. Catch-phrases can be counter-productive in the Christian walk that can hurt a person’s witness. Like those that treat the Bible as a simple textbook, many will use such phrases to validate their biases, political slants, and their personal worldview as well.

Catch phrases abused become empty words to many, but yet, the one invoking them expect such platitudes to bring results. It’s not good to start the New Year off resorting to such catch phrases. You’ve just been served some catch-phrasing etiquette.

The Golden Rule Revisited

The New Year presents the opportunity of embracing the Golden Rule and the qualities that define it. I already did a sermon about the Golden Rule in detail about 2 months back, so I will only cover the basics here. Treat others as you treat yourself. If you display attributes of love, kindness, and compassion while showing empathy and understanding to those in suffering or those with personal issues, then people will respond back in kind. If one is dismissive of the suffering of others, then those in suffering will be dismissive of your needs. Many will simply use the word Christianity as a label to demand others to role out the red carpet just because of who they think they are or what they represent. The feeling of giving back or contributing isn’t their, and there is a impulse of being very judgmental as well.

First, every Christian had to be saved. Second, Jesus is a servant first and foremost. Jesus didn’t demand the red carpet to be rolled out in front of him. If their was anyone who could have demanded the prestigious treatment, it would have been him. However, the man who had every reason to build the spiritual ivory tower instead chose to be a servant and live like everybody else. Jesus chose to be around his people, and rejoice when they rejoiced, and suffered when they suffered. Jesus thus was able to relate to the needs and tribulations of what the people around him were going through. He would then display that understanding back with love and the Salvation in return.

It’s declared that we must love our neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Everybody that occupies space on this blue marble is our neighbor. Thus, we are called by Jesus to reach out to their needs, regardless of circumstance. We can’t be dismissive of their suffering just because it doesn’t cater to our personal worldview. We can’t be dismissive as their suffering or plight because often, we don’t know the circumstances behind the decisions made. In many cases, things are black-and-white. However, there are many cases that while on the surface they appear the same, there are a lot more than what meets the eye and there are unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, one can’t be dismissive of someone’s suffering.

The Spiritual Ivory Tower Revisited

In my past sermon a few months back, I referenced the spiritual ivory tower. It’s the tower that one sits on, quickly to condemn and critique the moralities of others, while often ignoring their own spiritual shortcomings in the process. One can’t approach spirituality as if one has some special insider knowledge that the rest of us mere mortals lack. Essentially, the spiritual equivalent of a “know it all”. Everything is available to us when we seek it equally.

Building that spiritual ivory tower is perhaps one of the most destructive thing that we can do in our spiritual walk, especially when starting the New Year. Making a New Years resolution becomes pointless and moot if the first bricks for the tower are already being planted on the second day of the New Year. When we start to feel that we become quote “better” than everybody else, then we start to treat spirituality as a joke. We forget that we had to be saved like everybody else. Being saved doesn’t make us quote “better” than everybody else.

Pursuit

The pursuit of Salvation should be because we love Jesus and what he has done for us. The Golden rule here is that if we cherish the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, then Jesus will cherish those that accept his love and gift of Salvation. Many are in the need of Salvation. It’s never too late to spread the good news. Life is uncertain, so one must be on the constant move to seek Salvation. It’s a task that one shouldn’t put off for a later time. Their might not be a later chance down the road.

The fact is that these spiritual needs have always been there, regardless of New Year or not. There have always been the duty for Christians to go and reach out to those in need. Jesus demands this from us. He also demands us to embrace those suffering with open-arms in a loving manner. The pursuit is a real one that needs to be embraced and encouraged. It’s a noble pursuit that should be embraced for those that pursue that relationship with God through Jesus. While the start of the New Year provides a new chance to start anew, this is a life-long task that’s never ending.

A task that can be squandered if one becomes a slave to routine and falls back into the bad habits of ignoring the Golden Rule, building that spiritual ivory tower, demanding red carpet treatment becomes one treats Christianity as a label than a way of life while throwing around empty catch phrases while still expecting results. For those that have been a slave to bad habits, the path to spirituality is breaking the routine.

The pursuit of Salvation is a vital one. This is more the reason to be invested in it. It’s the reason why the teachings of Jesus should be at the forefront and spread rapidly for those that seek it or are in need of it. The New Year provides that grand opportunity to embrace our spiritual walk. It’s a pursuit that we are all called to partake in because we love God. This is the first and foremost reason to undertake it.

Articles of Interest (Critical Thinking And Avoiding Click-Bait, Sensationalist Content)

Religious Catch-Phrases Replace God's Word- https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/religious-catch-phrases-replace-gods-word.17875/

25 Cliché Christian Sayings - https://www.learnreligions.com/cliches-christians-say-700635

8 Christian Phrases that Aren’t Christian at All - https://faithit.com/christian-phrases-8-arent/

Christian Phrases - http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/site4jesus/phrases.html

10 Christian Cliches that Confuse (and Hurt) Unbelievers - https://www.ibelieve.com/relationships/10-christian-cliches-that-confuse-and-hurt-unbelievers.html

10 Christian Clichés To Avoid Like the Plague - https://redeeminggod.com/10-christian-cliches-to-avoid-like-the-plague/

3 Untrue Christian cliches you've probably used (but shouldn't) - https://religionnews.com/2016/03/21/3-untrue-christian-cliches/

Do you use these Christian Clichés? Please stop - https://redeeminggod.com/christian-cliches/

Unscriptural but popular Christian Cliches - https://www.christianforums.com/threads/unscriptural-but-popular-christian-cliches.7747151/

8 Christian Clichés I Wish We Would Stop Using - https://outreachmagazine.com/features/leadership/44951-8-christian-cliches-i-wish-we-would-stop-usin...

The Golden Rule - https://rkixmiller.dudaone.com/the-golden-rule