The One Essential Habit of the Disciple

We have said a lot about habits in these journal-posts. I did a search. I’ve used the word “habit” more than fifty times in the pages of the “Discipleship Weekly.”

That makes sense. Habits are essential to how and why we follow Jesus. We might think we are shaped by the big events in our lives, but the truth is that we are shaped far more by the things we do all the time, every day, every week.

My attitudes about my marriage, my faith, my future, my sin – my attitudes about all the things that matter most are the product of my daily and weekly habits. Habits literally shape my life.

We have said that “a Christ-follower who is constantly about the task of bringing every aspect of life into obedience to Christ.” Is there one habit that is essential, absolutely non-negotiable for every disciple?

Yes, there is. And you would have a hard time finding a man or woman who is growing in Christ who has not made this a habit.

For someone who is serious about walking with God, someone who wants to grow in faith, this habit is as normal, as ordinary as brushing teeth; it’s not a box to be checked, it’s just part of the daily routine because it’s that important.
 
What is this essential, non-negotiable habit, the one thing that must be a fixture in my life if I want to follow Jesus?
It is spending time with God, talking to Him and listening to Him, praying and reading His Word.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking about those stories of people who spend hours in prayer and Bible study. And they love it. And they can’t imagine life without spending all that time praying and reading the Bible.

That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about setting aside a time and a place where you can meet with God every day. Just you and God, having a conversation that will help adjust your mind and heart. The amount of time spent is of secondary importance. What matters is that meeting with God is a regular feature of your day.

Why daily?

I need to be with God daily because life has a way of skewing my perspective and warping my attitude. I need to talk to God about my struggles and I need to hear from Him in His Word, and I need to do this every day because every day my life warps my attitude and values.
 
There are two things that can get in the way of establishing this essential habit:

1. Logistics: Start from where you are.
You will have to create space in your schedule and in your environment for this habit to flourish. Susannah Wesley, mother of the famous evangelists John and Charles, had so many children and so little time that she draped her apron over her head to create a small, sacred space for her to spend time with God.

For most of us, our options are not so limited. We have other ways besides an apron-tent to set aside time and space to be with God. But whatever your life circumstances, part of making time with God a habit will be carving out that time and space in your life.

And speaking of logistics, the point of spending time in God’s Word is not necessarily that you read it. God’s people engaged with His Word for centuries before the printing press made Scripture available to the common man. With digital technology, you can engage with God’s Word by hearing it.

The point is not just about reading; it’s about engagement. As you engage with Scripture, you can begin to reflect on it and begin to let it shape your life, your priorities, your understanding.
 
2. Desire: Pray from where you are.

I always tell people to start from where they are, not where they’re supposed to be. But sometimes the problem is not a lack of skill, it’s a lack of desire.

That’s when I tell people to “pray from where you are.” If you realize that your heart isn’t stirred by this idea of meeting with God every day, start by praying about your heart. Ask God to give you a hunger to know Him. Ask God to inflame your heart with a strong new desire to be with Him.

That is one prayer God is ready to hear and answer.
 
Unless and until this habit is part of our routine, we will struggle to grow spiritually.
It’s not complicated.
But it’s essential.
Start from where you are.
If you can’t start there, then pray from where you are.
 

Persevere,
Paul Pyle
Discipleship Pastor