Counting your steps-a spiritual Fitbit?
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25
Many of us are becoming increasingly conscious of the number of steps we take each day, helpfully reminded by our smart devices, some of which will even prod us to get moving if we haven't reached our daily quota. Each small step on its own makes very little difference, but a decision to walk more each day becomes a habit that builds a more healthy life and (hopefully) has long term benefits.
Practising virtues is perhaps a bit like this. A small decision to act with kindness, to pause and respond gently instead of angrily, an attitude of forgiveness to others rather than blame all begin to build into a life lived according to the Spirit, rather than our natural desires. Our choices become habits. Recent brain research suggests that habits actually rewire our brain, creating new neural pathways which become our new normal. Or, as Paul writes, since we live by the Spirit, let's keep in step with the Spirit.
I'm sure someone will invent a spiritual Fitbit, but until they do maybe we can incorporate some small reminders for ourselves of our new habits. What might the screensaver on our phone say? Could we set an alarm for a 5 minute pause in our day, to reflect on our decisions? Maybe we could create a more physical reminder- a pebble in our pocket, a candle on our table, a verse on the fridge?
Each step may be a small thing, but we decide the direction they are heading.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1,2
Galatians 5:25
Many of us are becoming increasingly conscious of the number of steps we take each day, helpfully reminded by our smart devices, some of which will even prod us to get moving if we haven't reached our daily quota. Each small step on its own makes very little difference, but a decision to walk more each day becomes a habit that builds a more healthy life and (hopefully) has long term benefits.
Practising virtues is perhaps a bit like this. A small decision to act with kindness, to pause and respond gently instead of angrily, an attitude of forgiveness to others rather than blame all begin to build into a life lived according to the Spirit, rather than our natural desires. Our choices become habits. Recent brain research suggests that habits actually rewire our brain, creating new neural pathways which become our new normal. Or, as Paul writes, since we live by the Spirit, let's keep in step with the Spirit.
I'm sure someone will invent a spiritual Fitbit, but until they do maybe we can incorporate some small reminders for ourselves of our new habits. What might the screensaver on our phone say? Could we set an alarm for a 5 minute pause in our day, to reflect on our decisions? Maybe we could create a more physical reminder- a pebble in our pocket, a candle on our table, a verse on the fridge?
Each step may be a small thing, but we decide the direction they are heading.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Hebrews 12:1,2
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