Romans 12:11
11. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Devotional
Keep Going!
In this plan, we’ve looked at the core habits of following Jesus:
- Engage the Bible (hear from God)
- Speak to God
- Worship and Belong (join God’s people)
Other habits are helpful, but the three core habits matter most. They’re like playing scales on the piano or shooting baskets in basketball. Besides playing scales or shooting baskets, you need different skills, but you never outgrow these basic practices.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, it’s helpful to return to these core habits. They’re foundational. We’ll never outgrow them.
You’ve worked hard to build and practice your habits this week. The goal: you will make these key habits a regular part of your life from now on.
Here are some tips for moving forward.
- Practice the Clean Slate Policy. When you get behind, miss a day, or discover what doesn’t work for you, wipe the slate clean and start again.
- Pursue progress, not perfection. Consistency matters more than doing it perfectly.
- Shrink the challenge. If you’re not practicing the habit, chances are you’ve set a goal bigger than the time and energy you have available. Try shrinking your task until you’re 90% sure you can do it.
- Keep going, even when you don’t see progress. Small habits, maintained over a long period, can lead to lasting change.
- Notice what works. Rather than focusing on the negative, shine the spotlight on what’s worked. Look for what’s worked, and do more of that.
- Customize these habits. What works for others may not work for you. Find a way to practice the habits that fit your personality, circumstances, and preferences.
- Go deeper. If you want to dig deeper into habits and spiritual growth, check out the book 8 Habits for Growth: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ (published by Moody Publishers).
Keep practicing your habits from this week. Incorporate them into your life. Allow these habits to direct your heart to Jesus. Notice and celebrate times of joy in God. Add more of that!
Practice your habits. Take the next step. God be with you.