When referring to churches or ministries as stuck in perpetual motion, it’s like we’re on a hamster wheel going around and around. We’re moving, but we’re just going around in circles not moving forward.
The Problem with Being Stuck in Perpetual Motion
We can engage in a lot of activity that consumes a lot of time and energy but we have little to show for it of eternal value. Before we know, it becomes mere religious activity. When we start merely going through the motions, our love for God tends to grow cold. We leave our “first love” (Rev. 2:4) and may become motivated by a need to perform, or accomplish something, rather than love.
Because we’re active, we may feel like we’re accomplishing something. Pride could even set in because we’re so busy “for the Lord”. We become blind to the reality that we’re stuck. We’re spinning our wheels, doing the same thing over and over, going nowhere.
Perhaps what we’re busy doing was at one point a good thing, but it no longer propels growth. We keep doing it nonetheless and therefore stop meeting needs. Instead of helping people “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), we’re enabling them to stay where they are.
What It Takes to Get Unstuck
Since being stuck in perpetual motion affects our motivations and attitudes, we need a heart and mind transformation. That begins when we say, “whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil. 3:7-8) That kind of transformation requires help. To get unstuck, we can’t rely on ourselves. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)
Because being stuck in perpetual motion tends to affect our perspective of what’s most important, we must learn what is essential and what isn’t, and focus on what truly matters. We must “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33) “for the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20). “The kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). We find little joy when we’re merely on the treadmill of life. When, on the other hand, we keep pace with the Spirit, walking with Him, we go somewhere that leads to greater Christlikeness and fruitfulness (Gal. 5:22-25).