In Hebrews 10:24-25 we’re exhorted, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (ESV) We should have a regular habit of worship. This is pleasing to God and essential for us. It keeps our priorities clear with Jesus on top of our life.
How do we break the bad habits that have crept into so many lives over the past year as COVID has scared us into “distancing” from others? Proper concern for safety has devolved into laziness, distraction and apathy toward the habit of regular worship in God’s house with fellow believers in Christ. And, with the bad habit of not gathering for worship has come the bad habit of allowing many other things to take on the role of “top priority” in life…sleeping in on Sunday; watching worship online whenever I remember to get around to it, if at all; going to get some exercise and work off the COVID19 pounds; reading the latest news and ranting online to my circle of like-minded “friends”; watching reruns from when life was “normal”; puttering in my shop or basement to catch up on chores; binging on any sports I can watch; etc. etc. etc. The Devil has loved these past months as a grand opportunity to feed our sinful desire to push Jesus to the bottom of life.
It’s time for all of us to wake up from our stupor and “stir up one another.” If at all possible, let’s gather for worship in the house of the Lord even if its not as convenient. Our spiritual health is of much greater importance than our physical health. Be careful, but be there! Stir up everyone you know to do the same.
It’s also time to build new healthy habits that put Jesus first in life. Read your Bible first thing every morning. Talk about it with your family so you can keep each other accountable. Read a devotion together with the family at your “family altar.” Pray with at least one other person out loud every day. Read a final Word from the Lord to close your day and let it sink deep into your mind as you drift off to sleep. Such are the habits we need to keep Jesus on top and sustain us at all times and especially now, when we aren’t together with others like we used to be.
I invite you, again, to consider joining me in the Faith Bible Reading Journey. It will provide you resources and accountability to put Jesus and His Word first in your life. It will help you build a habit of time with Jesus even if it’s not in His house like it was before. Instead of lamenting this time apart, let’s turn the time to good use and foster some new habits that will strengthen our ongoing life in God’s way.
Join me in building some holy habits for such a time as this!