"A Habit Called Faith" (Jen Pollock Michel)

TITLE: A Habit Called Faith: 40 Days in the Bible to Find and Follow Jesus
AUTHOR: Jen Pollock Michel
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2021, (256 pages).

Don't just think your way to faith. Practice it. This is the crux of this book about spiritual formation via the practice of faith. Practice it regularly enough until it becomes a habit. This is the way of faith. For repetition is one of the most proven ways to cultivate memory. What better way than to use 40-days as a memory forming benchmark. The use of "40 days" has been well-documented in both Scriptures as well as popular literature. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. Stephen the first martyr told the story of Moses in three 40-year segments. Rick Warren's famous book about purpose-driven was based on 40 days on intentional purpose forming. Written like a devotional, there are 40 days of exercises with daily readings, Bible verses, the author's reflections, and two questions. Designed more for individual and to some extent for group use, the key advice the author gives to any reader is to simply finish the book. The fruit is sweetest if this is practiced to the fullest. Michel divides the book into two parts. The first 20 days are based on the book of Deuteronomy while the other 20 days are reflections on the gospel of John. Interspersed every five days are testimonies of faith from different people. Mark Lawrence talks about his habits of church attendance and Sunday School. Ian Cusson's experience of Church is very much liturgical. In spite of his indigenous background of the pains of residential schools, he aims to be a bridge between "indigeneity and Christianity." Shannon Galvan shares about the habit of going to Church. Kevin Feiyu Li shares about his conversion to Christianity through small groups and how he learned that Christianity is more relationship rather than responsibilities. Mika Edmondson talks about how his early years in Church didn't impact him much until he meets a preacher named Prophet Morris. When young, Premi Suresh did everything expected of a pious Catholic. From attending TED Talks and abandoning Facebook, she started reading the New Testament regularly and that changed her life. Kim Demchuk grew up in a United Church in Canada, she shared her struggles as a young child in tumultuous family life. At a healing service, she was transformed from a nominal believer to a passionate one. Deborah Smith shares her story of deliverance from drug addiction, and how Christianity played a big role in her revival. Darius Rackus describes his spiritual search as beginning from the series of studies from Christianity Explored. Through the regular gatherings and discussions, he encounters the Bible in a way that increases his faith. 

My Thoughts
The main thesis is that just as practice makes perfect, faith can be deepened through practice. Equating it "by virtue of repetitive motion," constant practice will enable believers to strengthen their faith. I remember after graduating from my undergraduate studies, some of my peers were complaining that what they had studied in school was not practical at all. My response was it is never a waste because education is less about the content but more about the cultivation of the mind. It helps one to grow as a person. As far as faith matters are concerned, some people might critique the methodology as a kind of indoctrination. I would caution anyone from jumping to this conclusion. Fact is, there is a far bigger and deeper challenge: That of a stubborn human heart that is resistant to change. The Bible calls it pride or hardened hearts. Time and again, the LORD gave Israel opportunities to repent. They didn't. Knowing full well the human propensity to be restless, the first commandment is a call to keep the LORD God as the One True God and no other. Faith in God is essentially about keeping God as #1 always. The practice of keeping God first is never indoctrination. It is faithfulness to God who had proven Himself to be immensely faithful to us when we are not! The Bible has many instances of the importance of meditating on the Word. It is a spiritual practice to enable the Word to penetrate the stubborn hearts of humans. This book helps us do just that, without heavy theological jargon. 

In an age where faith is increasingly being challenged and questioned, many believers need a sense of assurance about hope and the importance of keeping the faith. The steps put forth made the spiritual devotions practical. The testimonies shared help make it personal. Jen Pollock Michel helps make it available to us for cultivating faith. Like following a doctor's prescription, I would urge readers to follow the 40-days plan as closely as possible. Trust Michel as a spiritual guide. More importantly, let God speak. Faith is not faith if it can be perfectly proven or totally visible. There are things that we still do not fully comprehend. Even if we think we can, our level of comprehension can never compare to God. In the end, faith is simply what it is: Faith. Remembering how volatile our emotions are and how restless our souls can be, we need something to anchor such restlessness from running after all kinds of idols. Faith in God is the key to anchor our spiritual sanity. This book gives us a way to do just that.

Jen Pollock Michel is the award-winning author of Teach Us to Want, Keeping Place, and Surprised by Paradox. She holds a BA in French from Wheaton College and an MA in literature from Northwestern University. An American living in Toronto, Jen is a wife and mother of five. She is the lead editor for Imprint magazine, published by Grace Centre for the Arts, and host of the Englewood Review of Books podcast.  

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Books and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.