By Ben Disney
“God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything… so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” Ephesians 4:13-15
Thoughts become words. Words become actions. Actions become habits. Habits become character. Character becomes your destiny.
For the next month we’ll be focusing our efforts on observing and participating in the basic disciplines and practices of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. If we are truly people who practice what we preach, then it’s essential we intentionally practice those habits and behaviors that lead to spiritual growth and maturity in Christ. The essential practices of passionate worship, risk-taking missions and service, life producing spiritual growth, and extravagant generosity are foundational to our journey as Christians.
Consider the next thirty days a challenge, an invitation, and a call to spiritual maturity. For the next thirty days we’re being challenged to practice the sacred habits that are essential to living life to its fullest, reclaiming the promise Jesus gives of life in all of its joy and abundance. We invite you to make a thirty-day commitment to intentionally experience the richness of a life focused on practicing the essentials of our faith.
So what does that look like? It’s making the intentional choice to immerse ourselves in passionate worship every week. It’s deciding each week to take a risk by reaching out to help someone in our community who is in need. It is committing to daily prayer and Bible study, seeking to discern God’s direction for our lives. Finally, it is finding moments every week to exercise extravagant generosity in changing the lives of others.
As Eugene Peterson notes: “We live our lives in the practice of what we do not originate and cannot anticipate. When we practice resurrection we continuously enter into what is more than we are. When we practice resurrection we keep company with Jesus, alive and present, who knows where we are going more than we do, which is always 'from glory to glory.'” (Excerpt from “Practice Resurrection,” p. 8).
So, why set aside thirty days? It’s a start, the first step in creating habits that have the power to transform our lives and the lives of those we are called to serve. Practice makes perfect; and, though we are far from perfect, the choices and commitments we make ultimately define who we are. Practice something long enough and well enough and eventually it becomes second nature; holy habits embedded in the fabric of our lives producing an essential part of our character.
We launch our series “Practice Resurrection” on Oct. 7. We look forward to the journey. Practice begins this Sunday.
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