Reflections From Sunday Evening

We are working through a message series called "The Power of Habit." We have been looking at ways to change bad habits and create new ones. We have learned a person cannot extinguish a bad habit, only change it. We have further discovered that it is possible to develop new patterns, or habits, in life. A huge point revolves around the need to believe that change is possible. We have pointed out that even if someone was not interested in Christianity they could still gain from the book and messages. A person can develop new patterns (habits) in life and make life better. We are able to do things that will make us better people. But I have tried to be pretty clear about including another dimension. I am inviting people to look at the Power of Habit through a spiritual lens. Those who seek to follow Jesus Christ need not settle for behvior modification. We are invited to place ourselves in the presences of God and through the work of the Holy Spirit may experience not only changes in behavior but a transformed life. Frankly to consider the Christian life any less than transforming sells the whole thing short. Yet we often fail to grasp the possibilities the Gospel presents. Kendra Creasy Dean is a teacher of youth ministry. She wrote a book titled "Almost Christian." The basic theme of her work is that youth (taking their cue from parents and other people of influence) adhere to "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism." It is not only young people who think of the faith in these terms. Many people believe the faith is meant to give us some tools to make us a little better than we might be without it. Often a bigger concerns from parents is that the faith will help their kids be a little better so as not to embarrass them. That is the Moral part. The Therapeutic part means we consider God's purpose making us happy. The Deism part indicates God is a distant being who is suppossed to come around when we need help for something. It seems to me this is a far cry from Biblical Christianity. I truly beleive that following Jesus is much more than another self-help technique. Following Jesus means more than making us a little better (moral) than we used to be. Following Jesus will never reduce God to one responsible for making us happy. Following Jesus will not allow us to keep God at a distance useful only for times when we get in trouble. So back to The Power of Habit. It is not merely self-improvement. It is not merely behavior modification. The Power of Habit reminds us we may develop patterns, habits, that when trusted to the risen, living Lord Jesus Christ, will transform our lives. There is one more message in the series. Next week we wrap it up. The Power of Habit will make you more fruitful! It's been a good day. (Now for the Super Bowl). I hope you've had a good day too. steve