Creatures of Habit

Main Scripture: Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:19 (NIV)

Lately I am realizing that I operate a lot like my parents. For example I leave the bathroom lights on every night when going to bed. I am not sure why, but my parents left the lights on in the bathroom every night when I was growing up so now that I live on my own I do the same thing without questioning it. The truth is, I always find it comforting to know that the place is not completely dark while I am sleeping, however if I am going to conserve on electricity and help to save the environment, I better ensure that the lights are off before I go to bed.

Humans however are creatures of habit. We learn a routine, get comfortable with it and stick to it. No matter how bad these habits are we usually find them very hard to break. Jesus was trying to bring this point across when He spoke of pouring new wine, into old wine skins. The Pharisees were so used to their rituals and traditions, that they were not able to accept the way that Jesus brought His message across; hence they were always criticizing what He did and totally missed a grand opportunity for eternal life.

Sadly today, we are very much like the Pharisees in a lot of things that we do, often times we allow traditions and the old way of doing things to cause us to miss on very important opportunities in life. The fact is we cannot expect to see new results or change if we behave the same way at all times. My electricity bill will not reduce if I keep the lights on every night and I will miss out on the opportunity of saving a few extra dollars.

Is there anything you are missing out on because you are stuck in your ways? Because you are adamant that this is how you are and you are not going to change to please anyone? Someone once said that “the only constant is change,” while you are there holding on to your ideals, the world is changing, your children are growing up, your chance for a wonderful and blissful relationship with your family and your chance for a successful business and career  is passing you by.

Pray and ask God to guide you and to  open up your eyes so that you will not miss the plans that He has for your life.

Let’s Pray,

Father, today we want to thank you for imparting into our lives another time. You have truly been faithful. God, help us to embrace the changes that are happening all around us, help us not to be obstinate in our thinking but renew our minds Lord, lead us and guide us so that we will not miss the doors of opportunities that you have opened for us. Lord we bless your name and worship you.

In Jesus Name

Amen