Guarding Your Zeal Against Complacency

Have you ever read the story of the lighthouse keeper? There are several versions, one goes like this.

Years ago, along a rugged stretch of coastline, there stood a small but vital lighthouse. It was manned by a faithful lighthouse keeper named Elias, who took great pride in his duty. Every evening, he would carefully trim the lamp, clean the lens, and ensure the light burned brightly through the night, guiding ships safely past the jagged rocks.

For many years, Elias was diligent. He knew lives depended on his faithfulness. But after decades without incident, the job began to feel routine. He started to think, “The ships all have their own lights now. The sea seems calmer these days. Maybe the danger isn’t as great as it once was.”

So, he let a few things slip. One night, he skipped cleaning the lens. Another time, he delayed lighting the lamp by an hour. Eventually, he forgot altogether one stormy night when he fell asleep in his chair.

That very night, a cargo ship, unable to see the coast, crashed into the rocks and was lost. Lives were taken. When the news reached Elias, he was devastated. In his comfort and routine, he had forgotten the purpose of the light.

Regardless of the version, the author, or the authenticity of the narrative, this anecdotal story makes a simple, powerful point. Complacency is the enemy of duty, responsibility, and vigilance.

Complacency is the enemy is success. Leadership guru. John Maxwell, is fond of saying “The greatest enemy of tomorrow’s success is sometimes today’s success.” In other words it’s easy to get comfortable with our progress and growth and become lazy, sloppy, or overconfident.

This principle is true spiritually as well. We must guard our zeal against the complacency of past growth, achievements, and spiritual progress. The decrease in our passion can be subtle, and almost undetectable–at least in the early stages. It quietly creeps in and little by little slowly dulls our passion, dilutes our commitment, decreases our desire for fellowship, dampens our enthusiasm for worship, and ultimately creates a distance in our relationship with the Lord.

The complacent Christian may feel like they’ve done enough, grown enough, and are good enough. It’s not so much a problem of self-righteousness or pride but just a comfortable feeling that says, “I’m doing fine.” Yet, they fail to see that they are gradually drifting, losing focus, and like the lighthouse keeper cutting corners that will ultimately lead to disaster.

The epistle to the Hebrew Christians is a reminder to beware of complacency. They were a second generation of Christians in danger of slipping back to their old ways. This exhortation is applicable to those who are becoming complacent.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Heb. 2:1-3).

Complacency was also a problem of the Christian Laodiceans (Rev. 3:14-22). They said, “We are rich, prosperous, and don’t need a thing.” But the angelic messenger said, “You are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” They were spiritually bankrupt, and didn’t even realize it.

The answer to their complacency was to “be zealous and repent.” They needed to rekindle the fire they once felt for the Lord. To renew their commitment. And to revive their fervor.

What about you, my friend? Have you grown complacent in your discipleship? Your ministry? Your fellowship? Your worship? Your evangelistic outreach?

Have your compromised your mission, ministry, and spiritual vitality for comfort, ease, and mediocrity?

Examine yourself. Stay vigilant. Stay connected to the Lord and His people. Keep pressing on toward the goal. And as Romans 12:11 exhorts: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Oh, and don’t forget the lighthouse keeper. Continue to let your light shine.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman