The Habit of Jesus

I used to smoke Marlboro Lights – the short pack…not really sure why I chose that particular brand but, even after giving up the habit almost a dozen years ago, I can still recall how I disgusted I felt when Bubba behind the convenience store counter would tell me, “we’re out of Lights pardner…but we got 100’s”.   What?  Smoke 100’s?  You’ve got to be kidding!  So, off I would go to the next Circle K in search of “my smokes”

Like so many other human beings, I am a creature of habit. 

Habits provide a source of consistency in a tumultuous world.  They may be as benign as putting on your pants the same leg each time to sitting in the same seat at church each week but dont doubt for a minute that your life is ruled by a myriad of these habits.  It’s estimated that out of every 11,000 signals we receive from our senses, our brain only consciously processes 40.

What allows a certain behavior to become habitual?  Why does a smoker continue to puff away even when told he is suffering from emphysema and heart disease?  Why does the obsese person continue to shovel food into their mouth even after being told it will lead to death?   “We have found that people aren’t changing their behaviors,” said Cindy Jardine of the University of Alberta. “But it’s not because they haven’t gotten the information that these are big risks.” She added, “We tend to sort of live for now and into the limited future—not the long term.”

We live for the here and now…we are rebellious to the core…we want unlimited personal freedom.

Blogging  is a recent phenomonon in my life.  It is a habit I have developed that pushes me to examine my life and the undercurrent of my heart.  In doing so, I find myself cultivating a life of prayer, study and self-examination.  It is making Jesus a habit.

And it is in making Jesus my habit that I have found the source of strength and encouragement to address those other less desireable habits that I had used to manage my life.   I have replaced evenings of drinking alcohol with attendance at Samson Society meetings where I am encouraged and sharpened by being in the company of other men who no longer wish to settle for the diseased habits that have haunted them for years.   We make it a habit to meet weekly to confess our junk and seek strength from each other.

Examine those things that have become habits in your life.  Reflect on why they exist in your life and if they have control over you.

Do you use your habits as a coping mechanism?  Are they beneficial or profitable to you in any way?  Would you be comfortable having your habit manifest itself when others are around?  Do your habits have a socially acceptable slant but cause you private angst?  Do your habits make others uncomfortable…are you sure?

So…dear friends, as creatures of light, cultivate the habit of Jesus.  Immerse yourself in those things that build you up…chew on those things that strengthen you.