By Bonnie Ricks

Galatians 3:1-5 NIV

Have you ever watched a school of mullets? They all swim in a bunch, all headed in one direction. If something comes along to distract one of them, they all turn in the same direction, following the source of distraction. They do that again and again, rushing in formation toward the least distraction, never holding a true course toward anything.

The Galatians were like a school of mullets. Paul had come there, teaching the message of Christ crucified. Most likely, there had been healings, demons cast out, any number of miracles probably had happened. Plus, when each of these people received Jesus, they were indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The event of conversion is an emotional and spiritual "high." (I don't know about you, but it took several days after I accepted Jesus for me to become earthbound again.) Then Paul left, continuing on his missionary journey, reaching city after city for Christ. and real life set in for the Galatians. Things, even worship, began to be humdrum. Nothing new and exciting was happening. Holding the course became boring. Then these new guys hit town. They were impressive speakers. They got everyone stirred up. Everyone got "high" again. Not the same "high", but at least it was more exciting than what had been happening lately. So, like a school of mullets, the Galatians swerved off the path Paul had set them on toward the new and more attainable excitement of following these false teachers.

If you look at people today, it's easy to see what happened to the Galatians. It's easy to understand the "mullet syndrome." There's nothing more exciting than a spiritual "high." It is the one most incredible experience any of us can have. But it's also the one most impossible state to maintain. Real life is there. Dishes have to be washed. The garbage has to be taken out. Kids act up. Spouses and friends act like jerks. The car breaks down. People get laid off from work. Friends and family die. In the midst of all that, it's hard to maintain a spiritual "high." Even without tragedy, the humdrum atmosphere of daily life can create problems or become boring. So people go looking for another spiritual "high," equating their lack of euphoria with a lack of faith. They wrongly assume that the tedium and boredom of daily life mean something is wrong spiritually.

What we need to remember is that persistence is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Those times when we have to keep heading down the straight and narrow path of our walk with Jesus - even if it's boring at the moment - is often when the Holy Spirit can do some of His greatest work in us. So, don't be a mullet. Remember, you can't be "high" all the time. But you can be faithful and obedient. Don't let false excitement turn you away from God's truth.

Used with Permission