Monotony to Vivacity
Ya know when you're studying for something and all you can think about is, "I really wish someone would distract me from this right now."?
The other day, me, myself, and I, and the guy across the table, had that same thought so we struck up a conversation. I told him I blogged, so, thankul for the distraction from his own work, he started reading it.
The little "Welcome" blurb on the homepage sparked his inquiry: "What does monotony to vivacity mean?"
I have to say, I was caught off guard.
I flubbed around in my mind for a bit trying to find an answer while kicking myself for commiting the sin I swore I never would: using spunky and vague phrases to teach even though no one really knows what they mean...not even the authoress.
Eventually I said, "It's ingraining your spiritual life into what you'd consider the rest of your life."
And I guess it made sense to my listener because he said, "I don't know why they would be separate anyway!"
I'd now refine my answer to this:
Bringing your spiritual life from monotony to vivactiy is letting what you know become what you believe and letting what you believe become how you live.
Sadly, a lot of people don't let what they know about the Lord become their belief and so their lives never reflect Him as brightly as they could.
I think more often than not our Christ-reflecting-mirrors are dim because of a lack of understanding rather than a lack of obedience; from learning from the spunky but empty Christian phrase-ology.
Apologies from the authoress, I'll flesh out my unhelpful phrase-ology.
There are a few symptoms of a monotonous spiritual life. Some are typical and obvious, but others are way sneakier.
The Typical:
After the amen is said the conversation turns to how slutty Julie looked last night.
Church on Christmas and Easter.
The Bible is boring.
Praying Saturday night away Sunday morning.
The Sneaky:
Feels awkward when complimented.
Is easy.
Feels guilty often.
Worries often.
Works constantly.
By definition, monotony is wearisome uniformity or lack of variety.
Pretty soon twice a year church will get pretty wearisome and pointless. You'll realize that your "spiritual life" isn't doin' much for ya. So, it slowly slips away.
By definition, vivacity is liveliness, animation, and/or sprightliness (I love that word).
The way to move your spiritual life from monotony to vivacity, is by actually living like what the Bible says is true.
This is where The Sneaky comes in. We know what the Bible says, but our actions reveal what we believe about it.
Shy Sheila who just can't accept a compliment appears to be expressing humility, or, instead she could be revealing a belief that she isn't worth the compliment.
Why not choose to believe the Lord who says that we are loved unconditionally and made worthy through Christ and then choose to live thankfully? If we choose not to believe and live, we've chosen monotony.
We've chosen to live with an unapplicable, wearisome spiritual burden instead of a spiritual life.
Easy Esther appears to be struttin' her stuff because she has no moral compass, or, she may be sporting a belief that she's unwanted and has to work to be wanted. Monotony.
Why not choose to believe the Lord who says He pursues us and cries out for our hearts and then live like we respect ourselves because He respects us? Vivacity.
Diligent Dillan appears to be ferociously securing his future with a stellar GPA, but, he may actually be living in fear of punishment and failure because he doesn't know grace. Monotony.
Why not choose to believe and rest in the truth that the Lord can't be stopped by what we fail to accomplish and then live joyfully? Vivacity.
Gulity Gilbert could be full of the Holy Spirit's conviction, or, he may be trying to pay for sins that Christ already paid for and living like he is unforgiven. Monotony.
Why not listen when Jesus says "It is finished" and then live without fearing what our sin could do? Vivacity.
Worrying Wilma might be wonderfully responsible and motivated, or, instead showing how she doesn't believe that God is intricately sovereign. Monotony.
Why not believe that God knows exactly how and why He is orchestrating our lives then live at peace because we rest in His hand? Vivacity.
A life without worry, guilt, emptiness, and self-disrespect seems unrealistic. Everyone worries. Every Christian needs some guilt. Cougars find the men. Workaholics achieve.
Is it unrealistic or just too good to believe? Is it "safety" in monotony and fear of vivacity?
I'm a human, guys. More often than not I believe that worry about some things is healthy. I know how to dress up and how to walk to catch an eye. My work keeps me from being available to a hurting friend. I feel guilty for not studying just one more hour.
But I don't want to keep God's Word from doing the work it was made to do in my heart: to let me see what He is like and to give me a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control so others can see what He is like too!
So, I'm ending the wearisome monotony one belief at a time. Taking every thought captive for Christ; peeling back the label of unrealistic and finding a truth that is so vivacious underneath.