January 2

And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. — Ezek 36:27 BSB

The highest spiritual life is one that flows naturally, without effort, like the deep waters in Ezekiel's vision, where the swimmer stopped struggling and was carried by the current’s power.

God leads us into spiritual habits that become spontaneous, where we live in the fullness of divine life. But these habits don’t come from a fleeting impulse; they’re often built slowly. They begin with a deliberate act of will and are confirmed by repeating that act until it becomes a habit. The first steps require effort and choice. We have to stand firm, and after a time, the habit carries us forward on its own.

The Holy Spirit wants to form such habits in every area of our Christian life. If we obey Him in these first steps of faith, we will soon find ourselves established in obedience, and duty will become delight.