The God Habit

Every new year we start by contemplating what we hope to look forward to in the coming 365 days. Some of us decide to make changes and set goals. Some of us will continue on with the same goals and grow in the changes that we've already started. Yes, there will be some who decide that they will not make any changes or resolutions at all. Of all the resolutions that is most popular, it is the one when we promise to lose some weight and get in shape. That resolution has never worked out for me. I still keep working on that one. In any case, we hope that whatever goals and resolutions that we decide, we will eventually develop the necessary habits to achieve the final results.

Above all other resolutions, the one that is of utmost importance is a spiritual practice. It holds eternal and the most highest value. This is because it determines your final destination and gives the best results over your life-long journey. It is also because everything flows out of your spirit (or spirit man) and impacts your world.

Proverbs 4:23 states this wonderfully. In each translation, you can see that the heart is center and determines the outcome of our lives.

The NIV
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

New Living Translation
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

English Standard Version
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

It is clear that our heart holds whatever reflects from our spiritual life, and flows into our world around us.  It can affect everything from money to relationships.

"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." John 3:1-2

These scriptures are just a few examples of how important matters of the heart are.

One story that Jesus told in Matthew 25 :1-13 is about the 10 virgins. Jesus begins the story by saying “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom”. The 10 virgins represents the church, untouched and pure. They have been washed by the blood of Christ that is shed for sins that makes them clean. They represent the children of God who are the bride of Jesus Christ. However, five of the virgins were wise and five of them were foolish.   The parable begins by indicating that this is about a certain time on the earth with the phrase "At that time". No one knew when he would arrive, but they were waiting. Each of the foolish and wise virgins had lamps, but while they were waiting, they fell asleep. A shout was heard “Look the bridegroom is coming!” When they awoke, they realized that the bridegroom was coming but the five foolish virgins did not have extra oil for their lamps. They asked to borrow some from the five wise virgins, but the wise virgins said no. They knew the importance of having enough oil to stay until the bridegroom had finally arrived. The foolish five virgins left to get oil and while they were gone, the bridegroom did arrive. The five who had kept their lamps burning went with the bridegroom and the door was shut so that no one else would enter. When the five foolish virgins returned, they had missed the bridegroom and could not enter the wedding. They knocked on the door “Lord Lord, let us in”. He said, “I tell you the truth, I do not know you.”

The value of this parable just overwhelms me to think that we could be in that very time. The oil, which represents his presence and anointing, the fire of the Holy Spirit, must remain burning in our lives. We must be careful that when we rest, that our hearts are right with God. We must even be prepared with our oil, while we are sleeping! I do not want to hear the bridgegroom Jesus say, "I do not know you" when he returns for his bride. 

This is the one habit that is of utmost importance. Let this be our resolution this year; to develop our spiritual lives, to grow in our walk with God. So that all that flows from it, is simply an abundance of the oil, His Holy Spirit, who overflows within us and out through us. This will bring about wholeness and the change in us that we so desire, as well as our world around us.