Do you have a habit which grew out of a real need in the past, but which has no validity now?  I have.  I carry my keys in my left pocket.  There once was a good reason for this.  I had a car with the ignition switch on the left side.  But that was about thirty-five years ago.  Every car since then has had the ignition switch on the right side.  Since I am right-handed, I must go through a complicated maneuver every time I want to unlock a car door, start the car, open our house door, etc.  I don't think about it much , unless my hands are full.  The double-shuffle of packages and keys in such a case makes me think about changing.  But I never do.  I continue a "hangover habit" for no reason.

     Many of us have hangover habits in our spiritual lives also.  We began doing something, or began doing it a certain way for a very good reason.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the habit, except that the reason behind it no longer exists.  We are in a rut, which has been defined as a grave open at both ends.  It's a comfortable place, protecting us from the painful experience of change.  But change is a necessary part of growth.  And growth into Christ-likeness is God's goal for all of us.

     Maybe we need to periodically examine our Christian lives to see if we are doing things because of long-ago circumstances and commands, or because we have a fresh Word from God today.

     I think I'll move those keys.

(Editorial Note:  Although I wrote and published this article eighteen years ago, I still carry my keys in my left pocket.  Old habits do die hard.  But I have made progress in other areas of my life, so all is not lost.  I'm pressing on.  I hope you are too.)