Event Addiction

Big events do not produce greater faith - small daily events do. Big events may stir passion, but momentary passion seldom equates to faithful, consistent, spiritual growth. Big events sometimes cause an addiction to big events because we confuse the passion stirred during a big event for an increase in faith. When daily life hits and the passion fades, we look for another big event to boost our faith. But if the passion stirred at a big event does not lead to change in the, seemingly insignificant daily events of life, then the "growth" produced at the big event was nothing more than an illusion. If our faith needs the next big event to sustain itself, perhaps we are addicted to something other than Jesus Christ.

True change happens when we surrender daily, not just at a passionate event that stirs us to move to the front of a stage. Faith grows when we surrender every day even when we do not feel like surrendering. Faith does not grow simply because the emotion of a climatic moment at a rally or retreat compels us to fall on our knees with dozens or hundreds of others doing the same.

Faith grows when we work through trials, when we persevere and endure, when we sacrifice, when we serve, and when choose to rejoice when we feel like doing anything but. Faith grows when we study, when we pray, when we wait, and when we open ourselves to others who are doing the same, even when it is awkward and uncomfortable. Faith even grows when we are alone with the word and in the closet on our knees.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in  you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
          Philippians 12:12-13

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer... Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
          Acts 2:42, 46-47