Holy Habits

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives . . . Focus your thoughts for a moment on the words as usual. It is obvious that Jesus had some holy habits in His life!

Habits, spiritually speaking, often get bad press. They are equated with “vain repetitions,” traditionalism, and rote religion. All these potentials can become reality, and habits could be hazardous to your spiritual health.

Are there “holy habits” that can move us Godward? The life of Jesus, as well as the testimony of countless others, suggest we should answer in the affirmative. Jesus had a holy habit of prayer, often rising before dawn to pray. He had a holy habit of solitude, withdrawing from the crowds and, at times, from those closest to Him. His familiarity with Scripture indicates a holy habit of time in the Word. He cultivated the habit of living in close community with a band of brothers and sisters.

Dallas Willard, in his book The Great Omission, defines spiritual disciplines as “activities in our power that we engage in to enable us to do what we cannot do by direct effort.” Spiritual disciplines are holy habits that can produce healthy hearts!

Hosea