"You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north" (Deuteronomy 2:3).

Sometimes we move in hollow circles that become dreary, but the emblem of the Christian life is a spiral. Boredom is contrary to the Christian life for God leads us forward. There are three traits among many that should get us off the mountain of monotony:

1) Growth, a going forward to a fulfillment and a final victory. We are constantly moving on in life. "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature. . ." (Luke 2:52)."But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). One of the great promises is, "He who overcomes (grows) will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son" (Revelation 21:7). We are cautioned, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Although the body is withering, the soul is weathering the storms and growing stronger in Christ.

2) Enthusiasm and earnestness for this gift of life. John Wesley is quoted as saying, "Get on fire for God, and men will come to see you burn." Jesus says, "Because you are lukewarm. . .I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). In a tepid condition one brings neither disgrace nor dishonor; one simply vegetates. Lethargy brags that it lacks nothing and can now take it easy. But Jesus says, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me" (John 9:4). We must work.

3) Enterprise, or a plan for our life. Sometimes we need to "turn northward," to take a different direction in life so we may regain our zeal. Turning north, we are invigorated and strengthened for the new winds and windings of our high way of life. We should know when God gives us our marching orders by the inner peace we feel when we finalize our new plans.