DAY 7
ATOMIC HABBITS
MATT CIARAMITARO, GENERATIONS PASTOR
I recently came across a very impactful book, Atomic Habits, which communicates strategies that can be developed to foster habits which will help you become the kind of person you want to be. We all want to be the best we can be, right? Like it or not, the book states that “the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits.” In our case, we want to be Christ followers who are presence-driven, life-giving, and spirit-empowered. As I read the book, I began to think about how using these practices would impact my relationship with the Lord.
One of the simplest, foundational truths was this: “true behavior change is identity change.” Jesus talked about this over and over again, even criticizing those who had noble goals on the outside, but whose insides were not changed at all.
In Matthew 23:25-28 Jesus says, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First, clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Ouch! This is a scathing rebuke of people who claimed one thing, but did another. I don’t know about you, but I genuinely desire for my life’s habits and actions to match up to the faith I profess. Paul calls this “living a life worthy of the gospel you have received”(Ephesians 4:1) So, how do we do that?
Let’s get practical. In his book, James Clear states that when it comes to our habits, “It’s one thing to say I’m the type of person who wants this. It’s something very different to say I’m the type
of person who is this.” We have to think way beyond changes on the outside, and move to changes on the inside. It’s good for us to come up with achievable goals, but we need to think more about our internal beliefs that shape those goals. In other words, we need to totally rewire the way we think about some aspects of our faith. Here are some examples:
The goal is not to spend more time in prayer, the goal is to foster friendship with Jesus.
The goal is not to check the box of prayer, the goal is to hear your Heavenly Father’s voice.
The goal is not to read your Bible more, the goal is to know the truth.
The goal is not to ask for forgiveness, the goal is to be forgiven and receive grace.
The goal is not to serve in kids ministry, the goal is to become a co laborer with Christ.
The goal is not to give a tithe, the goal is to live a life of generosity.
The goal is not to come to Sunday night prayer, the goal is to move the heart of God.
In all of these areas, there are identities that we need to take on. If not, we might start some of these practices, but we won’t stick with them. Prayer will become stagnant, serving will become burdensome, church attendance will occur when convenient etc... Instead, identity change looks like this:
I enjoy time with Jesus
I am desperate for the Spirit’s leadinG
I don’t live on bread alone
I regularly encounter God’s love
I spend myself
I am a steward of what God has given me I have faith that prayer matters.
I hope you’ll take some time to evaluate the habits that form your faith. What are the beliefs behind your actions? Spend time in prayer today letting God shape your identity into his image.
PRAYER
God, you have called me to be a self-sacrificing servant who lays my life down for you and your church. Before I endeavor to build habits that will reach that goal, root my heart in that truth. I am called, I am chosen, and I am a part of your royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) I am your workmanship, and I have been created in Christ to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10)