Yesterday I wrote about patterns in your life. You slip into these patterns through many little decisions. Many of those decisions you don’t even think about.
One of the abilities we have that makes us human is the ability to reflect. We can think about what we did yesterday. And why. And what we’ve done over the past year. And ask why not something else.
So, if you decide to be a person who lives in the Spirit, then you need to consciously adopt some of those small and larger decisions that will lead to a new pattern of life that aligns with your desire to be that new person.
The first thing is to adopt a teacher. You become a disciple. I picked Jesus. He is the best I’ve found. That is the “larger” decision.
The rest of the decisions revolve around what have been called Spiritual Disciplines or Spiritual Practices. These terms have been around since the founding of the Christian movement–and probably existed prior to that.
You decide that you’ll get up a few minutes earlier in the morning. Enough time to read a little from a Spiritual book–the Bible, good writers on the Spiritual life, my blog (well, had to throw in a plug). Mediate quietly for a few minutes. Even 3-5 minutes is an excellent start. And pray for guidance and for God to bring the right people into your life.
If you can develop that pattern of life, you will discover a personality change. You’ll become less bitter, self-centered or whatever negative life pattern you’ve slipped into.
Then, you gather with others to worship and celebrate. (Life in the Spirit doesn’t mean being sour and dry all the time. You have permission to have fun.)
Just by developing these five practices over the course of a few months, you will reflect back and see great changes in your life. I certainly have in mine.
[Update note: So just after I opened yesterday’s post with a note about obesity, I listened to a TED Talk from a medical doctor who was thin, fit, with a healthy lifestyle, who developed insulin resistance, added 40 pounds and was headed toward Type 2 diabetes. He is now researching chemical imbalances that might cause obesity in some people. We are all individuals and our systems are complex. But don’t let that stop you from reducing sugar intake and exercising.]
Faith Venture 
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