Keeping up a “streak”/perfectionism
Devote yourselves to prayer; keep alert in it, with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 NTFE
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.
Mark 7:8 NIV
Perfect is the enemy of good. Voltaire
Just the other day, I woke up to do my daily stretching/strength/core exercise app…and realized that I had not done my stretching the day before. I had taken my pup for a walk early to beat the heat, figuring that I would stretch when I got home, but when I got home, I dived straight into a busy day without giving a second thought to missing my usual morning routine. The next day, I opened the app and saw that my 560 day streak was broken! Aughhh! The perfectionist in me was appalled!
For many of us, handy little apps keep us on task in practicing healthy habits either daily or regularly. Language learning apps, as well as word or math game apps, help to challenge our brain so that we are continually learning. Some people use a bicycling or running app to keep physically fit while trail apps show a wonderful list of both possible and completed outdoor endeavors.. Many of us like looking at those stats which give us a sense of accomplishment. As Christians (and I expect this transfers across other faiths as well), we proudly proclaim how we always do a daily quiet time or attend church regularly or serve often.
Yet Jesus called out the religious authorities who were so rigidly imbedded in tradition and habits that they lost the vision and purpose of faith; their practices became rote rather than joy in spending time with God and interacting with the world from that place of divine love and grace. Christians (and other faiths) can still fall susceptible to that way of life.
Indeed, all people can get so caught in the fulfilment of a routine that we lose the significance and enjoyment in any given activity. The real reason that I daily stretch is because it feels good and keeps me healthy, able to move and enjoy life more by feeling less pain in my body. Similarly, I practice Spanish daily because learning a new language is interesting and very good for my mind! Starting my days with a quiet time with God gives keeps me grounded and tranquil.
Have you allowed yourself to succumb to the trap of being so focused on keeping up a “streak” that you have forgotten why you do what you do regularly? Whether or not you are busily maintaining some habit or tradition, take time to evaluate why you are doing what you are doing and experience joy again in healthy habits!