Various habits have improved my physical, mental, and spiritual health. And I can think of plenty of simple, fun activities that put me in a good mood, such as playing music and games. But if I’m to think in terms of “the most”, then it’s engaging with God.
As as young child, I was encourged to love God at home and in school. Then, when I got to my teens, hardly anyone around me displayed any enthusiasm for God. I do remember older people, often with health problems, who’d be big into hope for miracles from the Blessed Virgin Mary and saints and so on.
When I first met evangelical Christians, they seemed a little odd. Back in the late 1970s, you’d get rebellous young hippies or punks among young people (like I was 😀) or a few religious Roman Catholic types, who seemed like they wanted to be priests or nuns. The evangelical young people that I met didn’t fall into either category.
It seemed strange to be enthusiastic about God and to gather and encourage one another to engage in spiritual activites, such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship and evangelism. I wondered if I’d fit into such a community. I was wanting to explore a wide range of philosophical outlooks and religions. Back then, we had no Web, but I’d buy books or chat to people.
But by the time I got to 18, I just wanted to commit my life to Christ. And according to Him, the greatest command is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And a second is to love your neighbour as yourself. People are reasonably good at loving their neighbours, but in Ireland nowadays, society at large seems pretty agnostic about God. And I’m pleased that I formed a habit of praying and listening to God. How does He speak to me? Through the Bible.
I don’t see myself as super spiritual. I wish I was. I’m an ordinary bloke, but I’m just happy that I decided to commit my life to Christ back in 1980 rather than going into agnoticism or being religious, but following cultural traditions rather than following the New Testament pattern. I don’t see any statues or praying to anyone other than God in the New Testament. I can understand how complex systems developed over the centuries. But what I like about evangelical churches is their simplicity. You will get plenty of silly or sinister people in evangelicalism, just as you’ll get them everywhere else. But I’ve rarely met any people like that in person. And ultimately, it’s Jesus who I follow rather than denominations or movements. But the New Testament encourages us to fellowship together:
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Here are some hymns about engaging with God:
Hibernia Gospel 