Closer through Habits

by Barry Baugh

Have you ever set a goal and never actually achieved it? We get to the new year and begin to create goals that we want to reach in the next 12 months. For some of us, maybe we want to read the Bible in a year.

We want to be better spouses, friends, and students. We may want to be better in our workplaces or even lose weight (I feel you on that)! For many of us, this year we want to grow in our relationship with God. 

All of these goals are great but why do they seem so hard to accomplish? Often we create goals but we don’t create habits to achieve them. Growing “closer” to God is a huge part of our vocabulary, but is it a part of our daily schedule? 

It was once said, “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.” The people that you surround yourself with have an impact on the type of person you will become. I would say it this way: “Show me what you repeatedly do, and I will show you who you’ll eventually be.” 

The habits we create now will determine who we will become. It begs the question: how do we grow closer to God? The answer is through our habits! 

If you create habits that help you grow closer to God, you will grow closer. But if we create habits opposite of this, we will not grow.

As Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:7-8: “ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 

Paul is saying that our actions matter. The habits you are creating matter. 

How do we train ourselves for godliness like Paul is saying? Spending time in our Bibles, praying, and worshiping. These are great habits we can create to grow closer to God. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says, “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”

What kind of person do you wish to become? A person creating habits to grow closer or further from God? 

Prayer

Father, we come to you with hearts open, desiring to draw closer to you each day. We know that true growth takes time, intention, and consistency, so we ask for your guidance as we create habits that bring us closer to you. Help us to make time daily to seek you, to dive into your Word, and to come to you in prayer. When distractions come, give us strength and focus to put you first. Amen!