Some habits worth keeping up with

I’m a creature of habit, but I’m also fairly flexible so I can address things on short notice. Otherwise, when some of my routines get disrupted, the consequences can be extensive.

For example, I usually charge my cellphone overnight, every night, on my nightstand. Recently, on a Saturday night, I left the phone on the arm of my living room chair. I knew before I went to be I should get it, but I didn’t follow through on that. Sunday morning, I put the phone on charge with plenty of time for it to fully charge before time to leave for church. Shortly after leaving for church, I realized I’d left the phone at home. Did I mention that I use that phone to livestream our sermon each Sunday (about 10:45 am; https://www.facebook.com/LoganNMChurchofChrist) so our sheltering-in-place members can participate in the service? We got to church just in time to be late that Sunday.

Routines, customs or habits that bring about good things are appropriate to have and follow through on. The Bible mentions customs Jesus had that Christians should follow as well as habits we should not form, both for our own good.

For example, Jesus had the habit of attending the synagogue on the Sabbath, or Saturday (Luke 4:16). The Sabbath was set aside by God under Mosaic Law as a day of rest, but they also were to assemble for teaching and corporate worship as long as they didn’t travel over a specified distance to get there (Exodus 20:8-11; Leviticus 23:3; Acts 1:12).

Under the New Covenant sealed with Jesus’ blood, Sabbath worship no longer is in effect, and Christians are to assemble at a convenient time on the first day of the week (Sunday) for corporate worship that includes instruction, fellowship, breaking bread (communion to recognize Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection) and prayer because that’s the day upon which Jesus was raised from the dead (Colossians 2:8-16; Luke 23:1-7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 20:7; 2:42). Note that in Acts 20:7, the worship probably took place after the work day was over.

Anyway, Christians are to be in the habit of church attendance whenever possible. Because of COVID-19, we must do things differently, but somehow we should attempt to include those who cannot or should not participate in person so they won’t form the bad habit of non-attendance and then lose hope (Hebrews 10:19-31).

If you cannot attend services but would like to be remotely included in corporate worship, I’ve included the Facebook link for the church I attend. Each Sunday, the sermon and prayers for communion are livestreamed, and the recordings are maintained on that page for anyone to view at their convenience, whether or not they can attend church.

If you want to learn more about becoming or being a Christian, please contact me at the email address below this article. I’d love to visit with you and follow another of Jesus’ examples (Mark 10:1). Perhaps we can learn from each other.

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]