Read your Bible
Say your prayers
Go to church
Teach your children about God
Encourage others
Tell the truth
Etc. Etc. Etc.
As a Christian, these are things I know I should do. They’re things I want to do. And I try.
But I have to admit that sometimes, even when I’m doing those things, even when — from all outward appearances — it looks like I’m doing a decent job in this whole Christian walk thing, I’m really just going through the motions.
Outwardly, it looks good. But inside, I’m distracted. Or self-absorbed. Or exhausted. Or apathetic.
And it’s during those times that I really need a wake-up call. God is faithful to remind me that a relationship with Him — a life with Him — is more than outward actions and half-hearted efforts. He uses a variety of methods to get my attention, to call me back to a realization that I want to serve Him with more than just my hands and feet. He graciously inspires me to want to serve Him with all that I am.
Not long ago, I picked up a CD by Matthew West (Something to Say) and was really impacted by his song, “The Motions.” Talk about a perfect song to listen to during those half-hearted moments.
You can hear the whole song over on YouTube but here are some of the lyrics that really stick with me:
I don’t want to go one more day…without Your all-consuming passion inside of me…
I don’t want to spend my whole life asking, “What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?”
It turns out I’m not the only person who’s appreciated this song. “The Motions” has inspired many people to take a look at their lives and ask themselves where they need to do more than just go through the motions — in serving God, in interacting with their families, in any area of their lives.
In response, Matthew West started a website where people can share their desires and commitments to getting real, to doing more than going through the motions. You can visit his Motions website to read what others are saying (or check out the touching story of Ryan McAfee over at Matthew’s blog) or to submit your own resolution. Putting it in print might help give you the accountability and motivation you need to take that first step toward the life-change you desire.
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter. Then come back and leave another, separate comment, letting me know you did so.
3. Blog about this giveaway (and come back to leave another, separate comment with the link to your post).
I’ll leave the giveaway open until Friday, July 3rd. That morning, I’ll randomly draw the names of the five winners and post them here.
Definitely sign me up for the give away.
I need another good CD…loved VBS but I am getting a little tired of listening to the same CD over and over!=)
Please – me! I love that song & I really like Matthew West.
I loved how honest you were at the open of this blog post.
I’d love to be “in” for this CD.
~ Wendy
enter me please!
I’d like to enter.
tweet
https://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/2315925197
Enter me please. I love this song and can listen to it over and over again. One of my former bosses who is in her mid 40s also likes this song. It is amazing how one song can mean so many different things to different people.
I would love to win this! Thanks!
I love that song too!
I’d love to win!
I love that song! thanks for the chance to win. We all need to be careful not to be just going through the motions.
LaVonne´s last blog ..No Bias Here: We Have the Best Daddy Ever!
tweet: http://twitter.com/lavonnelong/statuses/2320742629
LaVonne´s last blog ..No Bias Here: We Have the Best Daddy Ever!
His YouTube video about this song is awesome! I’d love a chance to win his CD. Gonna go Tweet about it and come back.
Twittered about this. We’re Twitter friends so you should be able to see it.
Ha, I actually blogged about this giveaway. I usually think, “Oh, I should do that,” but never get around to it. I’m sitting up here with the boys in bed, me with a bit of time on my hands (should be reading from my stack), and listening to my daughter and her friends that are all hanging out.
Here’s the link to my post:
http://wovenbywords.blogspot.com/2009/06/callapider-days-matthew-west-cd.html
‘Going Through The Motions’ is one of my favorite songs. It cuts to the heart of the matter of being real with God. Please enter me for your CD. Thank you.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
I put it on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/LAW51?ref=name
I’ve been feeling the tug to get a new cd – something fresh to play in the car. THis might be just the ticket! Love to win! THanks.
I would love to win this! Matthew West is a fantastic artist.
I enjoy reading your blog…
Please enter my name in this
giveaway. Thanks.
I would love to be in, thanks!
Sounds like something I’d like to listen to.
I don’t know how to post to a specific Twitter post, but here’s a link to my twitter profile. I plugged the give away just now.
http://twitter.com/carstairs38#/carstairs38
And yes, I’ve finally done a blog plug. http://markcarstairs.blogspot.com/2009/07/late-plug.html