You know, we hear a lot of talk these days about bad habits, how bad having habits are. I kinda like habits. It means that I get to do things without having to think them through. Yes, I know they can be bad if you forget the reason for them. Still, the sameness of the habit is somewhat beneficial because of the comfort one can find in the habit. Of course, I am not speaking of those habits that are detrimental to you, spiritually, physically, mentally, or formationally. I'm talking about habits that are good for you.
Palm Sunday's message this year in our church was great. I consider a sermon great when it causes me to pursue it further, pay attention more, have a clearer understanding either of something God wants of me or a better understanding of His Word. This past Sunday, the sermon focused on Luke 22:39cf. I was stopped with the second phrase of verse 39. "And He came out and went, as was His custom...". I don't know that I've seen this before. Well, yes, I've seen it and may have even momentarily considered it. It's somewhat a part of the story but rarely gets recognition due to the depth of the rest of the story. However, pause there for a moment. "As was His custom..." He did this regularly, going to the Garden to pray. No wonder Judas knew where to find Him. Jesus must have valued this time and place so highly that He wouldn't miss it for anything. OR, He could have been so committed to His mission that He wouldn't avoid the coming confrontation for anything. I don't know about you, but if I knew my habits could lead to an opportunity to die, I might change my habits up every once in a while. Yet, Jesus did the usual. He could have caused Judas much embarrassment, could have severely discredited him had he varied this habit. Yet, He did not alter His practice. It was almost as if He put a neon arrow above His head so that Judas could lead the soldiers right to Him. How remarkable. How committed! How deep His own love for fallen humanity.
I trust that in this season especially you'll find time to re-examine your own commitment to Him. Along with the opportunity to catch up on your reading, take a few moments this week to make adjustments, to recommit this walk to Him. Know that He has already blazed the trail with Holy Habits and begin to establish your own.
