10 Things to Do When Your Christian Life Has Become Routine

Here’s my concern that drives this blog post: too many of us as Christian leaders have settled into a monotonous, routine Christianity that lacks passion and power. We’re going through the motions—perhaps even while our ministries seem stronger than others—but we know something’s too settled in our lives.

I have addressed this issue a bit in my book, Nobodies for Jesus, but I sometimes still struggle, too. If you struggle with me, perhaps these ideas will help you:

1. Be honest with somebody about your struggle. Don’t try to win the battle on your own. In fact, it’s sometimes our aloneness—when no one’s pushing us to grow—that contributes to our becoming apathetic in the first place.
2. Enlist prayer warriors who pray specifically for you: “God, light the fire in _______’s life again.” Just knowing that others are praying this way for us can begin to make a difference.
3. Evaluate causes behind your “routine-ness.” Sometimes it’s sin that’s turned us in a different direction . . . or getting out of the habit of spiritual disciplines . . . or a faith crisis that’s begun to question God and His ways. Whatever the causes are, recognize them and deal with them.
4. Take a walk, and remember the beginning of your Christian journey. Now 45 years after God saved me, I can still remember the excitement, joy, and absolute peace I felt at the time. Simply remembering those days makes me long for that passion again.
5. Renew your vows to God. That is, simply reaffirm your commitment to God who saved you. Let today be a new day—a day of renewal—in your life.
6. Read at least one chapter of the Bible each day. Start where you are, but set the goal to read at least one chapter every day. Even if you don’t understand all the Bible, putting yourself in a position to hear from the Lord can be life-changing.
7. Make yourself tell somebody the good news. Sometimes, we just have to choose to be obedient and trust that God will honor that choice. Obedience in evangelism is especially good, as there’s a unique joy that comes from telling others about Jesus.
8. Tackle a God-sized task. I don’t know what that assignment is in your life, but I do know that our default position is often to avoid risk and potential failure. Your spiritual walk will remain routine if you accept only the assignments that you already know you can do in your own power.
9. Take a mission trip. When lostness and idolatry stare you in the face . . . and God uses you to introduce others to Jesus for the first time, it’s hard not to be excited and burdened at the same time. At a minimum, your life won’t be the same.
10. Take one day, and thank God throughout the day for His care. If you thank God for everything throughout the day, you’ll be overwhelmed by His goodness and His provisions. You can’t easily look at all His blessings without being humbled—and without wanting to praise Him again.

What would you add to this list?