This is a quote from our pastor, Jake Mills. Yesterday he spoke on how to develop spiritual habits so we are doers/defenders of our faith and not just talkers about our faith. He acknowledged what he shared was not new, but pretty simple. Yet, most of us don’t have the discipline to follow through with regular Bible reading, praying in the Holy Spirit (he explained—being led by the Spirit), listening to God in prayer, and keeping the return of Christ as the center of everything I do in my life. Easy to say, not so easy to do.

To everything he said, I say Amen!

But then I thought what about the rest of my life? While I am a spiritual being in a human body*, I have many other aspects of my life that I need to be disciplined in to honor God and not just be a talker about what I believe.

This morning I made a list of the other areas of my life and the disciplines I need to either do or for the ones I already do I need to get serious about doing them regularly—commitment.

Before I share a couple with you, think about what areas of your life could use some discipline. This morning as I mulled over this concept, I thought of one of my best friends. Her life flows. Some parts of my life are messy. I pondered why. Partly because she is wired to be organized, and I struggle with that. But also because she is intentional in her life. She has daily habits for keeping her house tidy, her car tidy, running errands, and all the logistics of daily life. She has stayed at my house and I have stayed at hers so I have seen up close and personal how she does daily life. She doesn’t fuss or fume. She has a plan and she works it.

I am intentional in some parts of my life. But the parts the cause me daily frustration are the ones I give “a lick and a promise” (my mom’s old saying when she didn’t have time to clean the house has thoroughly as she usually did). Too many times I give “a lick and a promise” when I need to make a plan and stick to it. Like always putting things back where they go then I can find them and the dog won’t have the opportunity to chew my things.

So before this blog goes on too long, here are a few new habits I want to become part of me:

Spiritual—More talking to Jesus throughout the day, especially when situations arise. Less self-talk and more Jesus talk.

Relational—Reach out to my friends and daughters more regularly.

Physical—Stop looking for ways to cheat on my healthy eating and exercise plan. Do the hard work and then go about my day.

Mental—Read more. Social media less.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. It’s not about being a better person, but having it together so I can live a more focused life for God.

*Dallas Willard’s phrasing, Soul Keeping, John Ortberg, page 23.

 

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.