Reading a book entitled “Leadership in Turbulent Times” by Doris Kearns. She analyzes the leadership of four U.S. presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson.

Beneath the title “Turnaround Leadership,” she reviews Franklin Roosevelt’s leadership decisions made when he took office in 1933. Times were turbulent, the bank system near collapse. The country was in panic mode, as the full brunt of the Depression was felt. The future of the country was in doubt. People felt helpless, powerless, and dread filled the air.

President Roosevelt did many things, but here’s one point: “Create a gathering pause, a window of time,” (p. 282). He created a four-day bank holiday, creating a “breathing space to devise a plan to reopen the banks in an orderly way,” (p. 283).

Creating a “breathing space” is exactly what the Lord provides through His readings of Scripture and prayer, at home and church.

“Our heart is restless until it rests in You,” St. Augustine (Confessions, 1.1.1). The words of the fourth century church father still ring true.

Lutherans call this a passive spirituality, meaning, God is at work upon and in you.

When you read His Book and hear it preached, you’re not the one who’s really active. You may think you’re interpreting the Bible. Actually, He’s interpreting you. He exposes and clears out the clutter which causes anxiety; He then comforts your soul with His balm of mercy and forgiveness found only in Christ.

Every time in His Word is a “bank holiday,” a joyful pause. 

Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

My folks went to church often, regularly; it was their habit. We lived 28 miles from church. Regularly they took their three boys.

In my recollection, there were two exceptions when we didn’t attend church: the opening weekends of pheasant and duck hunting.

Mom and Dad taught me that life revolved around a regular pattern of hearing the Lord’s Word.

When I went to college and, even if I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, I got up and went to church. The folks’ habit still preached.

The Holy Spirit records Jesus’ habit. He regularly prayed to the Father (Luke 22:39), and His step-father, and mother Mary patterned their lives around the church calendar of festivals (Luke 2:41). God the Father’s gracious words were Jesus’, and His family’s centering focus of life. They heard and prayed.

Habits preach what’s treasured. For believers in Christ, what’s treasured is Christ and His Word. 

Life comes from Him. Therefore, life orbits around Him. Going to church is simply what a believer does. It’s life, the way of life.

The Holy Spirit writes to the little persecuted church in ancient Rome. “Let us hold fast our confession of our hope without wavering…” (Hebrews 10:23).

And, then: “And let us consider now to stir one up one another to love and good works…”

And, finally: “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some…” (Hebrews 10:25, emphasis added).

Some of the believers changed their habit. To what? The gladiatorial games at the Colosseum in downtown Rome? Stayed home? Other religions? Don’t know, but their religious habit changed.

Habits preach.

What’s your (religious) habit? 

Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran