One of the most helpful books on spirituality I’ve ever read is Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s sat on the best-seller list now for many years, and for good reason. It’s not a Christian book per se, but when it addresses habits, think spiritual disciplines, and it is among the most profound and helpful books you will ever read on the Christian life.
One of the main points James Clear makes is that goals and resolutions are relatively useless. We all have “good intentions,” but we regularly fall short of them. The reason is that we have developed lifelong habits that will work against our intentions. So don’t focus on goals. Focus on changing your habits. And your habits will automatically lead you, over a long period of time, to your ultimate goals. James Clear has a saying, “you don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your habits.”
One reccuring issue I hear from many of you is discouragement about being inconsistent with devotionals. Many of you want to develop the spiritual habit of Bible reading and praying, but you find yourself frustrated that you don't do it. Here's my advice. Start small. Make incremental improvements each week. Structure your life and schedule so that these spiritual habits become automatic and routine. Mentally prepare yourself for unsatisfying “results” as you begin a new habit. Research shows that new habits typically take 60 days to take root. And finally, remember that spiritual habits is how you get intimacy with God. You cannot grow in your faith without developing spiritual habits. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
I preached on developing spiritual habits last year. You can listen to it on Spotify or YouTube.
Pastor Michael