Wednesday Word . . . Theological Habits
What is a habit? A habit is a way of doing something regularly and consistently. It might be the route you take home or what you eat for lunch. I remember the first time Joelene and I returned to Sheridan, MT, for a visit. We were going to stay at a friends’ house, but when I got into town I automatically drove to our old house. Habits.
“Habit” comes from the Latin habitus which means a condition or character. What we do as a habit, then, is really from the development of our character. Do we have a habit of cheating at card games? Do we have a habit of helping people in need? These are character issues formed by our habits.
A theological habit, then, helps shape your character. It would mean that you habitually viewed the world through the lens of God. It would mean that, like Mary, you would see yourself as overshadowed by the Holy Spirit and be the bearer of the Word of God to others. It would mean that you were open to seeing the mysteries of God all around you.
That theological habit, however, must be practiced day in and day out. Habits are difficult to form and easy to lose. Habits don’t just appear out of the blue – they must be worked on, practiced, and developed. Theological habits don’t form because you attended a church service one day. They must be formed and developed through daily prayer, through meditating on God’s holy Word, through regular worship attendance, and through a willingness to see God at work in you and the world around you.
We live with the mysteries of faith on a regular basis. These mysteries aren’t here to be solved but to be lived into. May you develop a theological habit of encountering God on a regular basis.
Blessings,
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