Make a Habit of No Habits

May 12, 2010

"For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful". 2 Peter 1:8 (RV)

These things that are mentioned are virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, brotherly affection and love.

ESV says "If these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective, or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Chambers tell us "The right thing to do with a habits is to lose them in the life of the Lord until every habit is so practiced there is no conscious habit at all."

I think of just how much I struggle with feeling that my spiritual life is marked by a need of more discipline. It is a constant prayer of mine. Lord forgive me for how long I have struggled this struggle. I want to overcome the struggle and feel that I am pleasing you with my actions. Yet your word tells me to simply abide. It is such a journey.

I read on to see Chambers words..."Your god may be your little Christian habit, the habit of prayer at stated times, or the habit of Bible reading. Watch how your Father will upset those times if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes...Love means there is no habit visible, you have come to the place where the habit is lost, and by practice you do the thing unconsciously. If you are consciously holy there are certain things you imagine you cannot do, certain relationships in which you are far from simple; that means something needs to be added. The only supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at home with God anywhere. Is there anywhere where you are not at home with God? Let God press through in that particular circumstance until you gain Him, and life becomes the simple life of a child."

Oh how I desire the simple life of a child spiritually!!! We complicate this holy relationship with our human perspective and our human need. Abide. Rest. Wait. Listen. Breath in the Spirit of the Living God. Move forward as His Spirit leads and as His Word directs.

Some of the sweetest times I have had with my Lord are times I have wakened to prayer. As if my spirit had already joined the Spirit of the Lord and I was just waking up to consciously join Him. Waking up to the day leads me to think of my Father and to breath in what I need for the day from Him (Manna). And my prayers often reflect the prayers that Jesus taught us to pray to the father. You are Holy Lord...you alone. Give me this day what I need to please you. Forgive me my sins. I cannot please you or live well in order to glorify you with out your manna and your forgiveness. I know I will fail you, yet I rest in your assurance of my salvation. I seek to glorify you in all that I say, think and do. Oh please Lord please help me to love as you love, forgiving others as you forgive me.

Why, if I have this sweetness, do I look for more to give to Him? For my benefit perhaps? So that I "feel good" about what I have given? Or so that others will see that my life is one marked by discipline?

Either way - Lord forgive me!

I want to sit at your feet, drink the wine from your cup...Kari Jobe - Musician.

Thank you Lord today as I sit at your feet I am allowed to drink from your cup.
As I understand, the things mentioned in the scripture above WILL abound as I am abiding in you naturally. It will be the fruit of being drawn to and of responding to you.
Mmmmmmmmm...Bless your name...O my Soul...and all that is within me...Bless your Holy Name!!!!!!!!