Creatures of Habit

The area in which we live is not particularly crime ridden, especially in the country. Even so, I have always had a habit of locking the doors of my car after I get out. Today, I went to the church for a Bible Study. It was a little warm and so I decided to leave my car windows open. As I got out, guess what I did. You got it... I locked the car doors. I realized that after I got into the church. I had the choice of going out to lock it, I could assume that no one would do anything, or hope that if a thief came by, he’d be too foolish to notice the window was open. I had to laugh at how much of a creature of habit I had become. I do the same thing with our garage door. I back out and am almost out to the road when I forget if I closed the door. Most of the time I have to back up and check. Could age be a factor? I suppose, but I have been doing things habitually for years. If I am not careful, it could almost seem like I blindly follow without really considering what I am doing and why. What have we done in our spiritual life to combat this danger? My guess is there are times you have gone to church and haven’t really heard a thing or ever thought about what the liturgy is about. I’m also guessing there are times, when praying, that you have said what you have always said, but haven’t really thought about it. Yes, God knows what is on our mind, but if we are just saying words, it is like smoke that rises but has no real benefit. How can we improve the depth of our worship at church? First, spend some time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to lead your heart and mind. This should start at home before you begin to head to church. When you arrive, read through the hymns so that the message is familiar to you because once music is added, the phrasing gets a little choppy at times. Mark the Scripture readings in the Bible so you can read along. Even better, if you know what the readings will be, read them at home so you are more familiar with them. Take a notebook and take notes of the message so that you are listening more actively and can review it during the week, pondering what God’s revealing to you. Find ways to put what you heard into practice. If you are not alone, discuss it on your way home. Father, I don’t want to ever take You or Your word for granted. Help me to stay focused on You wherever I go. Amen