Book Review: Holy Habits

I love to start the new year reading books about values and living out those values, about habits and improving one's habits. I can't remember how I stumbled upon Noah Herrin's Holy Habits: 10 Small Decisions That Lead to a Big Life. Perhaps it was suggested to me from Hoopla (I listened on my library's Hoopla account). I'm not a fan of the subtitle. I guess I'm not really looking for a "big life." Instead, I'm interested in nurturing holiness and deepening my walk with God. Quibbles over the subtitle aside, I think the book holds some value. It provides a sufficient pep talk to set sights on habits of holiness and consider our impact in the world. The insights are fairly standard and delivered with some humor.

Do others see Jesus living inside of us? That's the key question. Is our life different because of Him? So what are the 10 "holy habits" Herrin wishes to nurture in the reader?

1. Seek and obey the Bible
2. Don't run from God when you mess up (repent and return to God)
3. Pray often - Herrin suggests praying in 1-minute increments throughout your day
4. Observe a Sabbath
5. Be content
6. Seek a coach for discipleship
7. Seek to disciple someone else
8. Get comfortable with silence so God can speak
9. Be a team player in a local church
10. Feel and express gratitude

Herrin hopes the reader will practice these habits to develop deeper intimacy with God. I want to seek purposeful habits that embrace God. Thankfully, I already incorporate much of this. My prayer life goes beyond 1-minute increments. (I am not disparaging this encouragement. In our current world, any increase in prayer will deepen one's relationship with God and spur change where it is desperately needed.) Could I spend more time in silence, listening for God? Certainly. Is it a struggle to remain content when I watch my son stray or when things don't go as I believe God wants? Yes, indeed. Plus, I'm sure my outlook would improve if I embraced gratitude more intentionally during my day.

There are two habits I struggle with and could pursue more: local church involvement and discipleship. The church we attend is my husband's choice. I long for a church focused on drawing unbelievers with greater variety than a hymn-only stance, and with words that inspire a deeper relationship with God, more than accentuating the deep chasm between God and man. I think of where my son is at and know he would feel like an outsider. Indeed, I often feel I don't belong, with my enjoyment of modern worship and Christian writers to supplement my Bible reading. Perhaps my struggle comes from growing up in The Salvation Army with a founder who believed we should "Go for sinners and go for the worst!" I thoroughly appreciate their commitment to seek and obey God's Word. Too many churches water down God's Word in their effort to reach the lost. Yet, I continue to struggle. While I wish to support my husband's leadership, I long for a church that pursues attraction more than condemnation, and freedom more than rigidity. The God I love and serve is not limited to a fixed avenue of communication. "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake." [1 Corinthians 9:22-23]

I also could pursue discipleship more. While I believe I touch the lives of others through my involvement in Bible Study Fellowship (my weekly Bible study group), is that really enough? Would I benefit from finding someone to mentor and disciple me? I'm sure. Yet, I seek friends rather than spiritual/life advisors. Perhaps not everyone is in a place of discipling or being discipled. Does the lack of discipleship mean an individual is not following hard after God? I don't think so. Still, I will consider these suggestions and strive for holy habits that deepen my walk with the Lord. I want to become so like Him, that others see Him, instead of me!