Is Your Religion Boring?

Is Your Religion Boring?

The Universal Desire for Connection with God

In a Bible teaching delivered by Matthew Vander Els at Founded In Truth Fellowship, the question of whether one's religion feels boring is explored as a common struggle among believers. The teaching begins by acknowledging that individuals may intellectually believe in God, follow religious practices, and even be involved in church activities, yet still experience a lack of deep affection and desire for God's presence in their lives. This feeling of spiritual dryness isn't necessarily due to intellectual doubts but can stem from a lack of experiential connection with the divine.

God's Deepest Desire: To Dwell Among His People

The core of the teaching emphasizes that God's most profound desire is to dwell among His people and have a relationship with them. This desire is evident throughout scripture, from the creation narrative, which can be seen as God creating a cosmic temple for His presence, to the commandment for Israel to build the tabernacle so that God could dwell in their midst. The ultimate fulfillment of this desire is depicted in Revelation 21:3, where it speaks of God dwelling with humanity in the New Jerusalem. The speaker suggests that everything God does in our lives is ultimately working towards this goal of intimate fellowship.

The Importance of Reverence

A key reason why individuals might feel distant from God, leading to a sense of boredom in their faith, is a lack of reverence for God. Reverence is defined as a deep respect for someone or something, a standing in awe, and rendering proper honor to one in an exalted position. The author of Psalm 8 expresses wonder that God, in His vastness, would be mindful of humankind. This sense of awe and reverence seems to be missing in much of modern Western Christianity, where God is sometimes viewed more as a cosmic servant than the holy King of the universe. Leviticus 19:30 connects the reverence of God to the keeping of His Sabbaths and the reverence of His sanctuary, highlighting the sacredness of God's dwelling place. The Hebrew word for sanctuary, "mikdash," signifies a sacred place set apart, emphasizing its holiness. Therefore, treating the things of God, including His dwelling place and times of worship, as commonplace can diminish our sense of His holiness and our desire for connection.

The Church as the Modern-Day Mikdash

While the physical temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, God promised in Ezekiel 11:16 to be a "little sanctuary" (mikdash) for His people even in exile. Jewish tradition interprets this as referring to synagogues and even Jewish homes, where sacred space is created for God's presence through prayers and rituals connected to the temple service. The New Testament extends this concept, referring to the body of Messiah and the collective body of believers, the church, as God's temple where His Spirit dwells. Ephesians 2:19-22 describes believers being built together as a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Therefore, congregating with other believers in devotion and worship is a crucial way to encounter God's presence today. Just as the Tabernacle service was treated with reverence, our gatherings as the church, a sacred space where God promises to dwell, should also be approached with anticipation and a desire to encounter Him.

Causes of Spiritual Boredom and Indifference

Several factors can contribute to spiritual apathy and a feeling that religion is boring:

• Lack of Reverence: As discussed earlier, a diminished view of God's holiness can lead to a lack of passion.
• Unconfessed Sin: Sin creates a separation between humanity and God, hindering connection.
• Demonic Attack: The spiritual realm can influence our desire for God, and spiritual warfare through prayer and fasting is necessary.
• Trials and Tribulations: Suffering can emotionally impact our faith and make God feel distant.
• Distractions: The busyness of life can crowd out time and focus on God.
• Unmet Expectations: Focusing on disappointments and the perceived failures of others or circumstances, rather than our own response, can lead to spiritual indifference.

Ten Solutions to Rekindle Desire for God

To combat spiritual boredom and reconnect with God, the teaching offers ten practical solutions:

1. Admit It: Recognize and confess any lack of spiritual desire or known sin, including a lack of love for God. Psalm 51:10-12 illustrates David's prayer for spiritual renewal after confessing his sin.
2. Prayer and Fasting: Deny oneself physical comforts and distractions to create space for deeper connection with God. Fasting can take various forms beyond abstaining from food.
3. Struggle with God: Don't be afraid to wrestle with doubts and express honest emotions to God, as seen in the Psalms. Jacob's struggle in Genesis 32:24-30 resulted in a blessing.
4. Seek Spiritual Counsel: Talk to mature believers who can offer guidance and advice.
5. Remember God's Faithfulness: Reflect on past experiences of God's saving grace and blessings in your life. Remembering God's deliverance from Egypt is a recurring theme in Scripture.
6. Serve Others: Pouring oneself out for the needs of others can reignite passion for God. Isaiah 58:10-11 promises that serving the afflicted leads to light and satisfaction.
7. Get in Touch with the Transcendent: Pursue experiences of beauty and wonder in creation and the arts to awaken a longing for the divine. Psalm 42:1-2 expresses a deep thirst for God.
8. Praise God: Speak aloud and thank God for all blessings, even when not feeling particularly thankful. Drawing near to God through outward expressions of praise can lead to inward sincerity.
9. Meditate on God's Word: Regularly study and reflect on Scripture for intellectual satisfaction and spiritual nourishment. Psalm 1:1-3 describes the blessings of meditating on God's law. Psalm 119:18 is a prayer for spiritual insight.
10. Wait Patiently: Trust in God's timing and continue to serve Him faithfully while waiting for spiritual breakthrough. Psalm 40:1-3 recounts waiting patiently for the Lord.

Application for Everyday Life

• Cultivate Reverence: Consciously acknowledge God's holiness and majesty in prayer and worship.
• Practice Regular Self-Examination: Confess sins promptly and seek forgiveness to maintain a clear connection with God.
• Engage in Spiritual Disciplines: Make prayer and some form of fasting a regular part of your life.
• Be Honest with God: Express your doubts and struggles openly in prayer.
• Connect with Other Believers: Participate actively in church life and seek counsel when needed.
• Remember God's Goodness: Regularly reflect on and recount God's blessings in your life.
• Serve Your Community: Look for opportunities to love and serve others in practical ways.
• Appreciate Beauty: Take time to notice and appreciate the beauty of God's creation and the arts.
• Study Scripture: Dedicate time to reading and meditating on the Bible.
• Trust God's Timing: Persevere in your faith and trust that God will meet you.

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