Watch for Signs of Complacency 

When I heard that a couple of my family members were looking for gift suggestions for me for Christmas, I let it be known that I could use two or three new pairs of jeans. In recent months, I had noticed that all of my current jeans were beginning to show significant signs of wearing out. However, those indicators didn’t show up where I would have expected. When I was younger, the signs that I needed to replace my old pair of jeans usually began with small holes in the knees from actively playing outdoors or from playing with toys on the floor of our house. And unlike today, those rips weren’t considered fashionable. But the holes I noticed showing up in my jeans today are in a different location. They can be found in the seat of the pants. As much as I might like to try to blame this on the fact that “they don’t make things like they used to”, I suppose it says something about which part of those pants get the most use these days. I guess I do more sitting than I did back when I was younger.

 Although I do still try to stay active by walking, doing yardwork, and even getting on a pickle ball court occasionally, I also do quite a bit of sitting – whether working at a computer or kicked back in my recliner relaxing, reading, or watching TV. I don’t expect to be joining in any neighborhood ballgames or to be crawling on the floor playing with toys too often, although I do some of that with my grandkids. However, my worn jeans serve as a reminder to me to make sure that I don’t become too inactive as I grow older.

As we get ready to head into a new year, let’s guard against complacency and lethargy, not just in life in general, but especially in connection with our relationship with the Lord and doing what He has called us to do. It may not show up by holes in the seat of our pants, but what would be some signs that we may not be as active as we once were in walking with God and in serving Him?  

It might manifest itself in some gaps in our church attendance. We don’t show up as regularly and faithfully as we once did. Granted, as we get older, health issues can play a part in such absences. However, let’s make sure that our desire to gather with other believers to worship the Lord and support one another has not waned. When possible, we seek to fulfill the scriptural admonition not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:25).

Evidence of complacency could also show up in our personal times of Bible reading and prayer. The first of the year is a good time to recommit ourselves to having a daily devotional time with the Lord, preferably in the mornings to get our day started off right and to get us focused on what is most important. Make a plan to read your Bible every day. Spend some time in prayer. Maybe some of us need to wear holes in the knees of our pants not by playing but by kneeling and praying more often.

What about our service to the Lord? Are we still finding ways to be a help, blessing, and witness to other people? Or are we focused totally on ourselves and our needs? Let’s not grow complacent in fulfilling our mission to share the good news about Jesus, to make disciples, and to love others.

Let’s allow the Lord to show us any holes in the seat of our pants today. And let’s dedicate ourselves to being more active in following Him.