Thought For The Day

Breaking Bad Habits

In all the talk about bad habits (smoking, drinking, watching football-baseball-basketball (too excess), or even over-eating, etc. etc.) there is one bad habit I don’t hear much about. It may be the most important bad habit currently on the scene.

Most people understand that good habits take a long time to form, but almost no time to become lost in the busyness of every day’s full slate of things to do. The one that stands out in my mind is, I believe,  more prevalent now than ever before. Missing Church services has always had its difficulties. Miss a week or two and it becomes easy to miss a month. Miss a month or two – and Heaven only knows what may follow. Now, with the reality that many folks have missed a year or more, there seems to be an indication that they are not planning to return at all. They have a new habit, and it is a bad habit. In some ways we (those of us in the Church operations) may have inadvertently helped them to lose the “habit” of regular attendance. We provide “live stream” internet Church. One doesn’t have to get up, get dressed, drive to the building, etc. It is much easier to sit in the recliner. If one doesn’t like what one is hearing, there is a quick solution- especially when what is being heard is “convicting.” One has the opportunity to listen to a multitude of “streams,” and make no commitments to others that demand effort and time. Most people may not realize that regular attendance is a “habit.” It is an excellent one to foster and hang on to for dear life.

Lots of folks watch the “mega” Churches, or the popular “money raising” religious organizations, never realizing that they are not participating in the design and purpose of the Church at all. Scripture is clear that one must be a part of the gathering of God’s people to fulfill the principles of Scripture. Don’t misunderstand – one can gain insight, Truth (but not often), send a little (or a lot) of money in the mail. What one cannot do is interact with other Believers, Llove one another, build community, personal commitment to support other Believers, and be about the task of growing to maturity in the Faith.

If you use to be a habitual attender at your local Church,  but your new habit is the result of dropping out – say, because of the Pandemic, or any other reason – get back into the good habit. God will bless that, and you will be a blessing to others. I can guarantee that!

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