CH 18 Habit

I am your constant companion.
I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am completely at your command.
Half the things you do you might just as well turn over to me,
and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly.
am easily managed-you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done,
and after a few lessons I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great people;
and alas, of all failures, as well.
Those who are great, I have made great.
Those who are failures, I have made failures.
I am not a machine,
though, I work with all the precision of a machine
plus the intelligence of a human being.
You may run me for a profit or turn me for ruin-
it makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me,
and I will place the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Who am I?
I am habit. Anonymous

Early in my Prudential career I was introduced to two pamphlets that would make a lasting impression on me. During my first week Paul Hutsey gave me a copy of “The Common Denominator of Success” and “The Richest Man In Babylon.” Alfred E.N. Gray, a former Secretary of Prudential, wrote “The Common Denominator of Success,” In his pamphlet, Mr. Gray stated, “Successful people form the habit of doing the things that failures won’t do.” The context was, of course in the sales or business vein. In order to maintain success calls and interviews must continuously overcome the call reluctance that plagues most people.

As a Christian my thought goes to those habits necessary for successful and victorious living. First, I believe we must be in God’s Word consistently. In Psalm 119:11 we read,

"Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

We can never know His direction without communication. The communication most reliable comes when we gain direct insight from Him through the great examples He has given us. His instruction helps us overcome the tendency we all have to rely on feelings. Prayer is the next habit we must cultivate. I Thessalonians 5:17 states a uniquely brief and powerful concept:

"Pray without ceasing." Something we’re told to do without ceasing is definitely only accomplished by habit.

We must focus to have an attitude of prayer at all times. In the very next verse we read:

"In everything give thanks."

Someone has said we must have an attitude of gratitude. When we truly understand how little control we have in life events we can be thankful for what God gives us. He wants the best for each of us. The events of our lives mold us toward His purpose. Several times in the New Testament we read how Christ loved the church. He paid the ultimate price that we might have eternal life with Him. If He loves His church, we should also. If we love the church we prove our love by faithful attendance and support. Hebrews 10:25 states it well,

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

As time goes by it becomes more important for us to come together and exhort (encourage and support) one another. We all have a need to reach out and be reached out to. We have this opportunity only in the fellowship of believers. Christ’s great commission contains the last habit I am going to deal with. Matthew states it his way, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:19,20"

He that lays down precepts for the government of our lives and moderating our passions, obliges human nature not only in the present, but in all succeeding generations." Seneca

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17