Wishing and hoping are good things, but do not help as we try to implement “uphill habits” in our lives. Aristotle said, “we are what we repeatedly do.” What are you repeatedly doing, and what patterns do you have in your life that will help you accomplish some of these “uphill habits?” Pastor Adam reminded us the spirit behind building new habits and--this series--is for Christ “to become greater and us to become less.” (John 3:30). The ultimate purpose of this series isn’t simply to to help our faith community reach some lofty - though good - earthly goal in our life but to become more Christ-like.
God makes changes from the inside out. That is why simply wishing and hoping (and even the most well intentioned behavior modification plan) will not work in regard to our spiritual growth. Those types of effort produce only outside changes, but not heart, mind and soul changes that will help us stay on course with Jesus. Romans 12:2 from The Message is our theme verse for this series. It mentions placing our plans and what we do before God “as an offering.” Have you asked God to be part of this process of implementing “uphill habits” in your life? I don’t know about you, but sometimes even when my intentions are pure, I totally forget to ask God for HIS ideas, HIS blessings, and HIS insights. Could that be you regarding implementing these “uphill habits” in your life?
Our theme verse also says to “readily recognize” what God wants from you and then respond. Ask yourself this question: "do I not only seek God, but also listen for His still small voice"? You learn to recognize God’s voice with practice. Quite often that practice includes slowing down. It might include waiting, watching, silence and solitude. Are you practicing not just praying and talking to God, but also LISTENING? Could you be running ahead of God regarding trying to implement these new habits in your life? True transformation - the stuff that happens from the inside out - is a slow process. Are you being patient and listening, leaning into and watching for God to move BEFORE you move? Waiting is counter-intuitive and counter-cultural, yet it is a huge theme in the spiritual life. It was true throughout the Scriptures and it is true now. As King Solomon said “there is nothing new under the sun.”
INVITATION: This week we add the “uphill habit” of keeping things in our life aligned with our purpose. Are you open to keeping your life aligned with Christ? For purposes of review the “uphill habits” are: 1) Focus on what you do first (first in the day, the week, the year, first in your resources, etc.) Is God truly first in your life? 2) Develop the right thinking; 3) Keep your life aligned with Christ. Join us as we seek God and His alignment in our lives toward the purpose HE has for each of us. May HE become great as we become less. Will you let God be the WHY in your habits rather than your own agenda and ego?
MONDAY: Romans 12:2: This is our theme verse for this series. What strikes you from this verse as you re-read it, consider it, pray with it, and take it into your day? The verse admonishes us not to “become so well adjusted to our culture that you fit in without thinking.” Are you willing to be counter-cultural for the sake of Christ? It’s not as acceptable to be a believer in this day and age. Christianity has some absolute truths and is all about truth - it can rub some people the wrong way. How do you feel about that and how does that apply when it comes to not becoming so ‘well adjusted to our culture?”
TUESDAY: Psalm 139:16-18 & Ephesians 2:10: You have a purpose. Your life has purpose. Your location has purpose. The family you were born into was not an accident. Your life is not an accident and God has a plan for you. It is a plan He desires only for YOU because you are uniquely created and made for it. Your purpose may be delayed at times, but it is never denied. This Psalm says, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God.” Do you ever contemplate the thoughts of God or perhaps even pray for God to reveal His thoughts about something? How might you pray for “the mind of Christ” in your life, habits and future? Perhaps you can take that type of prayer into your day today, i.e. “Lord, give me your mind and your thoughts as I go through my day today.” Don’t forget to notice at the end of the day what your day was like and what your thought life was like. This type of prayer habit (a daily review or “examine” at the end of each day) is a good opportunity for you to practice listening and waiting.
WEDNESDAY: John 10:10 & Ecclesiastes 4:6: There is competition for your time, attention and affection. If you do not define boundaries in your life, someone else will. Unfortunately, quite often the one who seeks to “steal, kill and destroy” is laying in wait to get you off course and take you down. It's not usually in dramatic fashion. Satan masquerades as an “angel of light” so it can often even seem you are on a “good” trajectory. Satan often simply chinks away, taking you further and further away from the heart of God little by little. Just like your automobile can get out of alignment a little at a time until it is completely off balance, so can your life of following Jesus. Marketing and advertising targets our lack of boundaries and our restless spirits. Are you trying to “do it all” and “have it all?” Even if you strive toward good things that aren’t sin, being constantly overwhelmed and having an overbooked schedule is destructive to your soul. Are you allowing too many things to vie for your time, attention and affection? Jan Hassler, a trained Spiritual Director, recently wrote about this on her Spiritual Direction Facebook page. She wrote:
Corrie ten Boom once said that "if the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy." One of theologian Dallas Willard's famous quotes is: "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly elliminate hurry from your life." I also love the sentiment that busy is a calendar issue but hurry is an issue of the soul. Eugene Peterson called it violence to the soul."
How do YOU handle the epidemic of " busy?" What would it look like to acknowledge your limitations and even embrace them? Even God rested.....do you think you might need to do the same? How are you intentional in attempting to avoid this trap of busy?
In the ministry and art of Spiritual Direction, spiritual disciplines, spiritual rhythms or, if you prefer, “uphill habits” are often intensely considered as a person seeks to find and follow Jesus. You can follow Jan’s Spiritual Direction page here.
THURSDAY: Psalm 103:15-17 & Psalm 39:4-5: Time passes quickly. This is true in our personal lives and in our life with God. Can you grasp God’s “bigger picture” for life in general and for your life in particular?
FRIDAY: Joshua 24:14-15: This verse tells us to “choose this day who we will serve.” Pastor Adam challenged us to take some practical steps regarding our purpose being in line with God and His plan for our life. The first suggestion he made is to decide what you believe is really important in your life and making a list of your top 5 things. Journal about it, write it down, pray about it. Ask for God’s leading and guidance. Then, don’t forget to wait and listen! Paul writes in Philippians 3:8: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Are you willing to make these top 5 things your true priorities in life? How do you feel about putting Christ first in ALL THINGS and even consider all other things “a loss?” Do you trust God in this? If you have some hesitancies, tell God about them! He is big enough to handle it and He knows your heart anyway. Be honest in your prayers and your fears about laying it all on the line for the cause of Christ.
SATURDAY: Psalm 90:12. The second practical step Pastor Adam suggested was to put your money where your mouth is. Be “all in” if you choose to follow Christ. Don’t be a hypocrite. Are you willing to put all your “currency” on the line for Christ? Your time, your talent and your treasure? If you are brave enough to take an easy inventory of your true priorities, take a look at your bank statement and your calendar. What do they reflect? How might God be inviting you into new and different priorities? Are you willing to go “all in” for the cause of Christ?
Pastor Adam’s last practical suggestion was to eliminate the non-essentials in your life. Perhaps you can make a list of what not to do or things to let go of? What are YOUR non-essentials? What might be extra baggage for the journey with Jesus? At the end of life, no one ever says “I wish I would have worked more hours.” Purging can be a cleansing spiritual practice and almost a “rebirth.” What might God want you to take out of your life and schedule? Spend some time listening for the Lord’s leading on this. God’s ideas and your ideas might be very different. Listen. Wait. Pray.