My wife and I have been trying to settle on a color for the new siding going up on our house. And the question comes down to this: do we want something that’s bold and eye-catching – or something more conservative and boring that will help us sell the house more easily in the future. We’ve concluded that while bold and eye-catching is more interesting, conservative and boring is probably the best way to go.
I told my wife, “Sometimes boring is the best policy to follow.”
I later reflected on the fact that this is also probably the best way to grow as a Christian as well. New and innovative methods catch our attention – but in the end, we grow best by simply following the tried-and-true methods outlined in Scripture: Bible study, prayer, fellowship with others, faithfully attending worship services, and simply serving people. Nothing too exciting here. But it works.
Among Christians there is always a temptation to look for the newest, neatest and most innovative methods of approaching God. Even as a Bible study leader I find myself always on the prowl for the newest and most attractive materials. And with some effort, I usually succeed. But once the Bible study begins, the “new” soon wears off. While the topic and methodology were successful in attracting people to the initial studies, after about a month or so interest starts to wane. And before long, the old guard is all that’s left.
We often fall for the idea that with enough creativity, innovation and excitement we can motivate the unmotivated. We think the problem is one of methodology when in reality the problem is one of the heart. As someone has said, “At the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.” No amount of innovation and creativity is going to turn a cold, stony heart into a warm, fervent soul that passionately seeks the Lord. Cold hearts are often carnal hearts; mired in the pleasures and busyness of daily life.
Rather than sitting around waiting for the perfect Bible study leader with the perfect Bible study materials to show up and offer the perfect class on the perfect night of the week, why not spend more time alone – with God – pleading for him to warm your heart. Ask God to give you the hungry, seeking kind of heart displayed by the writer in Psalm 42:1-2. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” The writer sounds like a kid standing outside a candy store. He can’t wait to go inside!
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) In Matthew 5:6 Jesus promises that those who hunger after righteousness will be satisfied. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” It’s a good thing to hunger for something more in life! Just remember: what God offers – and what the world offers – are two, very different things.
Choosing new siding for your home isn’t always going to be a fun thing to do. Sometimes you just end up going with the tried-and-true methods: nothing special, just the stuff that works.
Boring? Yes.
But, like so many other things in life, boring is sometimes . . . the best policy.