ARE YOU LIVING A DULL AND BORING LIFE, WITH NO REAL PURPOSE?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  
(Romans 12:11-12)

MEDITATION:
We hear it many times from people who have been Christians for quite some time,
“I was on a spiritual high when I was saved, 
but I can’t seem to regain that feeling”.
It is amazing how we can feel the euphoria of some events, but as time 
passes the intensity and jubilation of the experience begins to fade. 

It doesn’t have to be that way when it comes to the powerful impact 
of God’s salvation given freely to those who ask for it, receive it, 
and submit to the influence of the Holy Spirit.
There must be some failure on our part, don’t you agree?

Paul gives us some valuable advice 
about keeping our ‘zeal’ and ‘spiritual fervor’.
He focuses on three areas 
in the life of a Christian (joy, patience and faithfulness).
We should experience joy every time we remember 
the magnitude of the ‘hope’ God provided with our salvation from the Lord.

Our ‘patience’ should increase during trials 
because we realize that God is at work and we have accepted His 
timetable for all things (including relief from our afflictions).
And lastly, we should always ‘pray’ – it is our opportunity 
to stay in touch with the Lord.

The glue that holds these three areas together is, ‘serving the Lord’.
It makes sense doesn’t it?
When we serve Him, we are constantly reminded of His presence, 
His gift of salvation, and our commitment to a relationship with Him.
Without being reminded often, we can become distracted 
and lose the closeness we once felt with the God who loves us. 

It seems that each generation 
becomes more susceptible to the dullness of living.
We are frequently given new means of entertaining ourselves, 
but we still struggle with maintaining the ‘zeal’ 
and ‘spiritual fervor’ Paul mentioned in Romans.
Many are still lacking the inner stimulation 
that gives meaning to their existence.
External stimulations are readily available, 
but they fail to satisfy the cravings deep within us.

ACTION:
Have you lost your ‘zeal’ 
and your ‘spiritual fervor’ for a relationship with the Lord?
If so, then don’t just read Paul’s advice and think they are nice thoughts, 
but make a conscious effort to incorporate them into your own life.
When you do, you will discover 
the value of applying God’s Word and the positive impact it has on your life.
As a result, it will create in you a greater interest for
reading the Bible and applying its principles to your daily life.

A healthy relationship with the Lord (on His terms) can give you relief 
from the bane of boredom, and the lack of purpose for your existence.
He is ready to remove the dissatisfaction from your life 
and give you a fresh sense of direction – He wants what is best for you!
Other people can disappoint us at times, but the Lord never does.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your consistent availability, for 
Your love, and for Your desire to see me enjoy my relationship 
with You. I realize that when there is a gap in my fellowship with 
You, it is because I have moved since You remain the same. Help 
me to be aware of what is missing in my relationship with You, 
and to willfully and deliberately adjust my life so that I can regain
my zeal and spiritual for serving You. Fill my heart so much with
Your Spirit that I will rejoice is whatever task You set before me.”

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