THE GREATEST HABIT OF THE HEART

Is there one habit in that makes possible the truly good life, abundant living, soul prosperity,  ultimate joy, inner strength, wisdom, peace and life satisfaction?  If there is, tell me what it is and I will start to cultivate it.  It sounds more valuable than anything I can think of.  It must be the proverbial pearl of great price, the treasure hidden in a field that provokes selling all I have to secure it for my own.

It’s not a secret.  It’s not hidden or unknown.  It’s just daily ignored even by the most serious Christians.  It is passed over at this time of year when people assess the past year and make New Years resolutions.  It rarely tops the list of priorities adjusted from the previous year when priorities going forward are reordered and resolved.  It is the greatest habit of the heart loaded with unimaginable possibilities and promise.  It’s been right in front of us for two thousand years.  The tragedy is that it’s been largely ignored as a way of life, a daily practice, an open door to a fuller, more exciting and rewarding life.

Jesus made it very clear when he mentioned it in the middle of his sermon on the mount.  We find it in the gospel of Matthew (6:33).  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”   This simple habit is the priority that trumps all others.  It’s the prime priority that makes unnecessary all others.  We see this in the second part of the statement when Jesus promises that “all these things will be given to you as well.”  If we take this direction and promise of Christ seriously, it means all New Years resolutions are moot.  In habitually, daily, constantly seeking first and solely the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, we receive the values, priorities, and direction that is pleasing to God in all things.  It then is a matter of follow through in obedience to the word and will of God in our lives going forward.  The most amazing result we can anticipate is found in the words of the Apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:3&4) . . .
mount.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature . . .”

GOD IS FAITHFUL.  THANKS BE TO GOD.