Second Nature

Photo by Kyle Head on Unsplash

Over the last six or so years, I have been growing up spiritually. I like to think that each day I am growing closer and closer to God. While I consider my journey to be a slow and steady pace, I often wish I would grow, and go, faster. Then, I think of Joyce Meyer’s quote, “I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.”

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about how much I want my relationship with God to become second nature. If you look up “second nature” in the dictionary, it will tell you that it is a characteristic or habit in someone that appears to be instinctive because that person has behaved in a particular way so often.

I want to think of God first and foremost each and every day. I want to automatically go straight to God with all my thoughts, questions, feelings, and/or problems. I want to spend quality time each day with Him by reading my Bible and in prayer. I want to be able to know the right thing to do in every situation I find myself in. (And, say the right thing.) I want to know the Word of God inside and out. I want to go to scripture and find the help and comfort I need.  I want to be able to point others to Christ. I want to fight the good fight and finish the race God has set before me. I want everything I say and do to reflect God.

And, I want to be able to do all of these things so well that I don’t even have to think about them, I just do them. Kind of like breathing. I want them to be second nature. I am not asking for much, am I? (Insert sarcasm here!)

As Twyla Tharp, the famous choreographer and dancer, has astutely said, “Over time, as the daily routines become second nature, discipline morphs into habit.” In order to accomplish all the goals, I have listed above, I need to make it my daily routine to do all of these things.

While I have a very, very long way to go, just the fact that I want these things is an encouragement to me. It has taken me years to get to this place in my life. And, I am ok with that. I am just happy to be here! Plus, it is helpful to remind myself that everything happens in God’s timing, not mine.

I am exactly where I should be.