“For the conduct of life, habits are more important than maxims, because a habit is a maxim verified. To take a new set of maxims for one’s guide is no more than to change the title of a book; but to change one’s habits is to change one’s life.”
– Henri-Frederic Amiel (Leaves of Gold, pg. 137)
Somewhere around 2004 a friend in the church I was serving encouraged me to start exercising with him. He was an avid bicyclist and runner, but gracious to help me ease into the activities at my own pace. It wasn’t long before he got the idea that we should do a marathon, the two of us and our wives. That resulted in participation in my first marathon in October 2005.
This life event comes to mind because it was something that required serious change in my habits. When the idea was floated, I thought it was crazy, something far out of my reach. My friend was persistent, and I agreed to try. Planning began quickly. We started looking for resources by experienced runners on how to prepare for a marathon. I invested in a few items of quality running gear, including a good pair of running shoes (the feet must be treated kindly!). My friend and I established mile markers along the scenic road we would use for training. These and other things were done because we believed they would be helpful in attaining the goal.
This may not be the best example of Amiel’s observation, but hopefully it comes close enough. The point is, all the aforementioned things were like maxims, things which we held to be true. But maxims weren’t enough to prepare for a marathon; that required a change in habits. Morning after morning I put on the running clothes and shoes, checked the training plan, and headed out along the highway. You might say this was our example of the “maxim verified,” the evidence that what we believed to be true was actually true. And it was. All of those things we believed would be helpful were indeed helpful (especially the shoes!). None of those beliefs by themselves would have changed my life. That took a change in habits.
In the Christian faith we hold to the belief that many things are true. Abram, for instance, believed God would make good on a promise. That’s why he packed up his things and migrated to an unknown land. Priests carrying the Covenant Ark believed that God would stop the water of the Jordan when the nation of Israel was prepared to cross near Jericho. That’s why they plunged their feet into a river that was probably at flood stage. Time after time we see that our beliefs call for verification by our behavior.
There are many beliefs associated with my Christian faith that I will carry into this new day. Opportunities to verify them will surely arise. By God’s grace, I will trust enough to prove God’s faithfulness by acting on my beliefs. Perhaps you will do the same.
See you along the Winding Path.
The Winding Path 