4:66 – Are You Phoning It In?

#faithbites #faithjourney phoning

Setting

While hosting online service this morning, my wife said that I looked so enthused about it. I’ll admit, today, I’m just phoning it in. I don’t know why, but I’m just not feeling it today. Maybe it’s just an off day. If you aren’t familiar with this term “in is to do something with low enthusiasm or effort. While the phrase may sound innocuous enough in an age when telecommuting and conference calls are common, it originates from the notion of someone who can’t be bothered to show up when expected”.

I fall into this trap when I’m tired, depressed, or overwhelmed. Some of us just check off the boxes in life rather than feeling life. This is something we need to fight against to make sure we are truly living life as God wants us to.

Today’s questions: What in your life are you phoning in? What can your faith teach you to help you avoid falling into the “phoning it in” trap?

Scripture

• Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
• 2 Timothy 2:15– Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Reflection

We see that we should do everything with all our hearts, soul, and mind. Work heartily as we are doing it for the Lord and not for man. To be honest, right now, I feel I’m writing in the comments of this Youtube stream for those online. They are people I care about. Now, if I wasn’t phoning it in, I would be doing it for God and not for the people though the people are blessed by it. (And yes, today is just an off day. we all have them).

For us to truly practice our faith, we need to do it unselfishly with our full heart. Just checking off the boxes doesn’t serve the purpose. The question is how do we do it? We do it with rest, prayer, reflection, and help. Sometimes we need just to reenergize for the next round. Sometimes it’s time for a chance. If you’ve phoned it in so long, you need a change of pace to focus on something new. In all of this, we need Jesus to help us focus and remind us that we do this not for man but for the Lord.

As we close, let’s think about thinking. Meaning let’s focus on our activities and make sure that we are truly doing things with our emotions and not just checking off the boxes. Also remember, you can’t do this on your own. As God for direction and to reiterate the purpose of those activities. Then move from the phone to being in person fully.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us stay focused, energized, and on track. We can often feel distanced and distracted. This leads us to phoning it in and not doing everything with our full heart and soul. We pray that you help us be engaged in our life and our faith. Without you, we can’t do anything. Lord, when we mess up, we ask for you to forgive us. Jesus, thank you for all you do. We pray all of this in your name, Amen.