Welcome! The last couple of weeks, I have been recapping a sermon series through our church that I have found to be especially helpful. You can see previous posts on the sermon series here. This week I am recapping the sermon titled, ‘Habits that Help’. You can find the audio version of the sermon series here.
In this sermon, Pastor Jordan talks about our day-to-day habits. Pastor Jordan discusses that some breakthroughs are in God’s hands such as a medical diagnosis. However, there are a lot of breakthroughs we seek where we play a large part in, such as relationships, finances, or our choices. In these situations there is a connection between routine and result, input and outcome, and pattern and product. In other words there is a connection to our approach and the effort we put in to the result that we get. The choices we make impact the result we get.
What is Sinful vs. What is Godly
The Ten Commandments lay out clearly what we shouldn’t do. However, there is a Christian gray area where we have freedom of choices. We have a say over things like, how many times we go to church, how many minutes we pray in a day, or how much time we spend time on social media). God also gives us the freedom to pursue or passions and the strengths he has awarded us.
Pastor Jordan shares that there are common Christian sayings that aren’t backed up in the bible. Common sayings include: “The Devil made me do it” or “God helps those who helps themselves.” In the bible verse for this sermon [1 Corinthians 9] , in regards to happenings in the Church of Corinth, Paul says, “All things are lawful but now all things are helpful. All things are lawful but not all things build up.” Meaning, our choices may not be sinful per say according the scripture, but are the choices we are making still helpful to us and those around us? Are our choices creating a balanced lifestyle?
Creating Godly Habits – Finding the Balance
Jesus modeled a balanced lifestyle. We see in the way he said no, the way he spent time with people (e.g. in groups, 1:1, time by himself), and the way he waited on God. Pastor Jordan discussed creating Godly habits. He cautioned that you don’t necessarily need to add habits which can cause more stress; there are habits you can form that make life easier.
Pastor Jordan shared that we need to practice doing nothing more. In society today, we are always focused on what is coming next; what activity is next or what thing do we want next. We do not live in the present. The art of doing nothing forces the present to catch up to the present. By doing nothing, things get put into perspective and you realize what is really important. By examining your present, you can decide if your habits reflect what is really important. In the end what is left and important is, our relationship with God and others.
The art of doing nothing, is not something that comes naturally to me. So just like the last few posts. I created a reflection sheet. You can download it here. The reflection sheet has some ideas to guide you through changing habits
