habits

Written for the church newsletter.

            I’d guess that for many of us, Lent is a season when we spend more time than usual thinking about habits.  The concept of a “Lenten discipline” usually seems to translate into habit-changing or habit-breaking behavior—and changing or breaking habits is hard. 

A habit is something we do without even really thinking about it, an action or reaction based upon instinct.  Changing a habit requires us to become conscious of our behavior, each and every time we face a situation formerly governed by our habit.  That’s exhausting!  Attempts to alter our habits often fail precisely because this process takes so much effort.  We lack the networks of support we need to help us through the extra exertion of so much mindfulness.

One of the “habits” we as Christians hope to cultivate is faith.  I love the story told in Mark 9 of the father who cried out to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”  Faith can be hard in the midst of life’s struggles.  It can be difficult to maintain and develop faith in things unseen when so much of what we see looks grim.

The good news of Mark 9 is that Jesus doesn’t tell the father to go away until he can muster up a less ambiguous commitment.  He heals the man’s son.  His honesty is rewarded; his need is met.  Jesus supports this man.  We are provided with networks of support, too. 

Sometimes folks want to turn Christianity into something far too simplistic.  Believe in Christ; be saved.  Now you have your fire insurance; go forth and sing “I love you, Lord” on repeat.  Our Lutheran heritage reminds us that life is a journey of faith, from our baptism, sometimes as infants and sometimes as older people, through an endless process of learning, growth, and change.  We understand that life includes paradox.  We are saints, and we are sinners—all of us, all the time.  We know we are saved through grace, and not by our own achievements.  We know this salvation through grace should compel the gratitude of a life lived in service to God.  We do love you Lord, absolutely, but we do well to recognize that without a network of support for our faith, our platitudes founder; we’re building upon sand.

So, where do we get our network of support?  How do we avoid the simplistic and build a faith that will become a strong, healthy habit?  Paul has something to say about this in Ephesians, when he talks about putting on the “armor of God.”  Jackie mentioned this armor to the kids last Sunday, and I thought it might be useful to spend a few months thinking about this armor and what it means for our lives as Christians.  Here’s the full passage:

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.  As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.  With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)

So, we have a belt of truth; a breastplate of righteousness; shoes to help us proclaim the gospel of peace; a shield of faith; a helmet of salvation; and the sword of the Spirit.  Quite a list!  We’ll start with the belt next month, but meanwhile, a thought to ponder: only the sword of the Spirit is an offensive weapon… and the Spirit “blows where it will.”  It’s not under our control.  One thing seems clear… this armor of faith is about protection—a network of support—and not about crusading.  I look forward to the journey!