This post is going to be different from any other I’ve written so far (or at least I think it will be). The school district my children attend use the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey as a guide for their school mission. I have known about this theme since before we moved here (when I first started researching school districts). But, it has only been recently that I have begun to think about this topic in a spiritual sense. I first decided to make a weekly planner for myself personalizing the 7 habits to my own walk with God: things that I have done in the past that make me feel successful in the Spirit. Then, as I was beginning to type those notes, I believe the Lord impressed upon my heart to make this a public share. So, that is what this post is all about; 7 habits I’ve learned in my walk with God that help me be effective and successful in the Spirit. I pray and trust it will help who God intends for it to help as well as help myself.
Let’s begin! The following are 7 habits that help keep Megean productive and effective in the natural world as well as the spiritual realm.
#1. Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Honestly, if I could get this 100% perfect every day, every thing else would easily and naturally fall into place.As much as I would love to believe I do this. Correctly. Always. Truth is, I just don’t. I miss it often. I do strongly believe my heart is 100% completely His. Do I love Him with my whole soul? I hope so, but even then, I think I miss it at times. The area I know for sure I miss it is “with all my might”. Might meaning my strength. I know, too often, I give in to what my flesh wants: sleeping in a bit; lounging/vegging watching something random, pointless; eating whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like it; the list could go on. I think I have known this for a while, but it really hit me the other day. Too often I have relied on my own human strength which leads to failure every time. I don’t share that for a “woe is me” reaction. It has always been and will always be the kindness of God leading me to repentance. (Romans 2:4 ESV) The more purposeful I am about loving God, the more His supernatural love for others flows through me. And, that, is the end goal. “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 22:37-40. God requires of me to love others like I love myself. Afterall, they (and I) are His prized creation, the apple of His eye. The way I love God and love others is interwoven and cannot be separated. If I love God, I will love people. As I love people, I demonstrate God’s love, become a conduit of His love. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40 (read 31-56 for full reference understanding).
#2. Do first things first! This may seem a simple statement but can be quite profound. I think we all have those chores or tasks that we despise and wish we never had to do again (laundry, sweeping, dishes, cleaning out the car just to name a few examples). Whatever your chore or task nemesis is, that’s what I am talking about. I had noticed that when there was a task I really didn’t want to do, in the past I used to put it off hoping someone else would or eventually I would just because I couldn’t take it anymore. Either way, I have since learned to just do the task as soon as needed. It usually doesn’t take me much time at all AND I feel so much better having it done, rather than knowing it’s looming over my head. This can also be applied to any thing we procrastinate about. As humans, we tend to put of the tasks that either seem too difficult or just plain unpleasant to us. We can even “busy” our day so as to try to convince ourselves we are being productive. I have found in my own experience, it doesn’t matter how busy my day was, or how much I got accomplished, if I didn’t actually do the chore or task that really needed to be done, I still ended the day feeling frustrated and defeated. On the flip side, when I just do the things I know need to be done, first, I have much better daily productivity and… I feel better. Better emotionally, better physically, better spiritually. In every way.
I know this habit says first, but I have also found that writing a daily list is helpful. Some tasks don’t need to be accomplished in a particular order; however I do want them done that day. Having a general list of “to do” each day is extremely helpful to me. I know it helps others as well. It keeps me focused and accountable. Plus, I like the inward reward of feeling like I accomplished what I was supposed to that day.
Having a general list to take to prayer in the morning is also helpful. We may have an idea of what we think the day should be like (and we may be right on). However, it is important to check that list with Jesus, asking if the list lines up with His Kingdom plan and to help us order those tasks according to His plan. Proverbs 19:21 states, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
#3. Practice an attitude of gratitude. “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” I Thessalonians 5:18. I believe this may be self-evident, though not always easy for some to put into practice. We live in an often depressing, corrupt and hurtful world. Some of us have experienced horrific things no one should ever have to. The state of the government, the state of the economy, the state of the educational system, the state of the medical world right now is in turmoil. It may be easier to simply complain. The saying is true, misery loves company. It’s so easy to get sucked into the negativity. This is where purpose, focus, and determination come into play. We have a choice. Every moment of every day. We have a choice. We can choose what we think about. We can choose how we feel. We can choose how we react or respond. The lie of the enemy loves to point fingers casting blame every where and causing some to adopt the saying “I can’t help it.” That is not true! We have a choice! The Lord commanded Joshua to remind the people they had a choice – to choose blessing or cursing. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4 to choose what we think about, “Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” When we fix our mind of Jesus – things that are lovely, true, just, honorable, pure – we receive His peace, which surpasses all human and worldly knowledge and understanding.
Thanksgiving is part of that “think of these things” even though it is not explicitly written. I believe one of God’s love languages is thanksgiving. “A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” Psalm 100. For me, it is as simple as acknowledging He is God alone and I am not God. He is a good Father, who gives good gifts. He is creator and rule maker. I am not. I will give thanks. I will make myself give thanks, “in all things,” even when I don’t want to, or the situation doesn’t seem like one worth giving thanks over. This lesson changed my life significantly in August of 2014. In my worst nightmare, I learned to thank God… in all things. If you are facing a devastating circumstance, I would challenge, encourage, dare you to begin to thank God… in all things. “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6 (my own emphasis added). You take your anxiety inducing situation to God and make your requests. Go for it!! Just don’t forget to do that with thanksgiving.
#4. Journal, Write, Study, Read, Blog. These are all ways in which I continue to develop myself. I desire to learn new things. I write to understand. I study to learn. I write to share what I learn. This is my effort of being a life-long learner. I believe this is a godly pursuit. I believe God would have us to grow in every way we can. I do not believe God desires or honors stagnation. I see it throughout scripture. “…study to show yourself approved unto God, a worker who has no need to be ashamed” 2 Timothy 2:15. That word ‘study’ means to make effort, to be prompt or earnest, to give diligence. The word ‘worker’ there means someone who toils and also figuratively a teacher. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control steadfastness; and to steadfastness godliness; and to godliness brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection love.” The Old Testament is filled with verses of learning about God, His ways, His commands, His statues, to learn prudence, to learn understanding, to get wisdom. Like I said, this is my way of growing and developing myself. This may look different for others and that’s ok. The point is, find ways to develop and grow mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
#5. Drink Water! So, this one may be more natural than spiritual, but it works. Our physical body requires water to function properly. I will not bore you with a medical lesson, but it is true. Proper water intake reduces inflammation and can relieve headaches and other body aches, it boosts skin health and beauty, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, helps maintain blood pressure and prevents kidney damage (among many, many other benefits). For me personally, I notice it most with daily fatigue, headaches, and body aches. When I drink enough water each day I do not feel nearly as fatigued throughout the day and it keeps headaches at bay. Obviously this is important because I have things I need to do each day and I like feeling healthy in my own body.
I have a whole lesson on biblical application and benefits of water. I will not cover that all here. Suffice it to say, water is huge in the Bible. Settlements began will well digging, cleansing and purification happened by water, God miraculously provided life-sustaining water, and much more.
“Like the desire of the roe for the water-streams, so is my soul’s desire for you, O God” Psalm 42:1.
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” John 7:38.
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” Hebrews 10:22.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” Matthew 5:6.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” John 6:35
#6. Move my body! Another physical/natural habit with spiritual impact. Sitting around all day is not healthy more my body, my mind, my family, my spirit. It is simply not healthy. Moving my body may look like going for a walk, a run, or to the gym. It may also look like going to the library or local coffee shop to meet new people. It may mean lingering after church to talk with friends or greet a new face. Moving my body may also look like going grocery shopping in a leisurely manner so as to see people. As opposed to rushing through a chore as fast as possible and purposefully trying to not make contact with anyone. Moving my body also looks like family outings – playing disc golf, touring a new city, going for a hike, attending a theater drama, etc.
Yes, personally, I need to be resolute about moving my body for health purposes because my “job” requires a lot of sitting. So, I do need to plan in my week times for walking and working out. However, I have also learned, just as importantly for my spiritual health, I need to move my body to make and build connections with people and community. After all, that is God’s heartbeat (see #1 habit). “And He said to them, “How is it that you sought for me, did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:49.
#7. Listen to understand. “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…” James 1:19.
Provers 10:23 Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
Proverbs 11:12Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 14:6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.
Proverbs 15:21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
Proverbs 17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
Proverbs 17:27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is a folly and a shame.
Proverbs 19:25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
Proverbs 20:5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Proverbs 28:2 When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.
More often than not, we listen to respond rather than listen to understand. Many of the conflicts in our world, in our communities, in our churches, in our own homes would be minimal if we could adopt this mindset of listening to understand. More often than not, people don’t want advice or “fixing”; we want to be heard, we want to be understood, we want to be known. To know and to be known is one our human basic needs. God designed it that way.
“Is this not to know me? Declares the Lord” Jeremiah 22:16b
“For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord” Jeremiah 31:34
“That the nations may know me…” Ezekiel 38:16
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” John 10:14
These are my top 7 habits to help keep me effective in the natural and spiritual. I wrote this to remind myself and hold myself accountable to what God has done in me and shown me. I have also written this, by the prompting of the Spirit, to help others. I pray it speaks to those who need it. May the Lord richly bless your efforts; “that you would walk worthy of the vocation to which He has called you; that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; that you would walk worthy of God who has called you unto His kingdom and glory!” (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; I Thessalonians 2:12).