Sunday, April 7, 2013

Joel Osteen might have a point...

I read once that it takes a mere 20 days to make something a habit. I think that principle only applies to certain things, as I have tried for years to make running a habit. It still remains torturous and my waist is still bulging.
However, I think there is still much truth to the concept that we can make things habit. Many things we have made habit for the sake of normalcy and health are scarcely thought of as such. We brush our teeth, tie our shoes, and perform countless actions daily that are borne of repetition. And repetition begets habit.
These habits, some big and some small, are what make up our lives and our characters. We know these things to be true with substances like cigarettes and alcohol. Habitual consumption of these leads to habit which, in the long run leads to problems. Though, what if we bend our wills to positive habits? Certainly this could mean fitness and healthy diet, but I'm referring more to habits that have eternal value.
Have we developed healthy spiritual habits? Of course I'm referring to things like daily bible reading and time alone with God in prayer. More difficult would be the habits of righteous thoughts and attitudes.
I tend to shy away from Christian speakers like Joel Osteen who tend toward, what I see as over-positivity, but I must say in this regard his style of teaching rings true more than I would like to admit. In fact, as a friend of mine often points out, I could use a dose of Osteen's infectious positive outlook. I tend toward negativity and worry. Both of these things are character flaws. More deeply though, they are flaws in my walk with Christ and are plainly sinful. These are spiritual habits I have developed and cultivated whether with intention or through carelessness in my relationship with Christ. They are things I seek to alter every day,with God's Grace.
Each day we have new opportunities to start better habits in our character and our spiritual lives. Are we taking advantage of these opportunities? Are we taking these failures seriously? We are called to be Christ like. Are we representing our Lord well? This blog is about Christian Living in a dark world and all the issues that come with a testimony for Christ, but sometimes we need to remember the essentials of our Faith before we can fully represent Christ.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." (Matthew 5:13)