Going through the motions

Have you ever driven all the way home but forgot how you even got there? Well that's an example of going through the motions of life. You're so used to that drive route that your body adapts to it naturally. We don’t think about it, we just do it.

You might be wondering what it’s like to live “going through the motions”. Google says that you “live without much engagement or enthusiasm, often performing routine tasks without a sense of purpose or feeling”. You do things not because you want to but because that is what you have to do.

After doing some research, I figured out why our brains lead us into this type of mindset. When we’re stuck in the same routine—school, work, clean, dinner—our brain goes into an automatic process. We stop caring about the outcome. Life becomes a blur.

The brain needs meaning just as much as it needs activity. When we get into this state of mind we do things with the absences of emotions. Our brain gets used to no emotions and that becomes your lifestyle.

Now you’re probably asking yourself, “What does the Bible say about this? Can it help?” Well, first off—God is perfect and purposeful. He allows us to go through seasons of struggle so that He can use them for His glory—to give us a purpose, to help us grow, or to allow us to share our story with others.

God tells us numerous times through the bible to live wholeheartedly, live boldly, and most of all live purposefully. In Colossians 3:23-24 it says, "Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as though you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free…" 

I remember at times in my life when I was just going through the motions—waking up, going to school, coming home, repeating. I wasn’t really living, just existing. It wasn’t until I took time to pray and reflect that I realized how disconnected I had become.”

God calls us to do everything to the best of our ability—whether we’re happy, angry, sad, or just tired. Just do it. But when we’re living life on autopilot, we can’t do that. We can’t live boldly or wholeheartedly—because we’re just trying to make it to the next day, without really living in the day.

In Matthew 6:34 it says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Focus on today. Worry about now. Ask yourself: how can I make a difference right now? Every moment matters. Every day is a new start.

Going through the motions is hard to get out of—but it is possible. First, recognize it. Be honest with yourself. Ask, “What in my life caused me to get here?”Then, have a real conversation with yourself and with God. Ask Him to help you out of it. Pray. Ask for wisdom. Ask for guidance. He will help you.

This week try starting your morning by asking God: ‘What do You want me to notice today?’ It could be a person, a moment, or even a feeling. Let Him bring purpose into your life.

I hope if this week you are feeling like you are just living through the motions and you're not fully present in life that this encourages you to seek help and reflect on yourself. Remember God created you with a purpose and a plan. 

You are Gracefully Made!