Where Are Your Habits Pointing? Shaping the Next Five Years of Your Journey

Brothers and sisters, have you ever stopped in the quiet moments—maybe while driving, or waiting for the bus, or right before you settle down for the evening—and truly asked yourself: What will my life look like five years from now?

It’s a thought that can feel huge, almost overwhelming. We naturally tend to focus on the big milestones—the career change, the family growth, the next assignment. But what if the real architects of our future aren't the grand plans, but the tiny, seemingly insignificant habits we build today?

It’s a principle that rings so true when you’ve been back from the field, seeing the incredible transformation that happens when disciples commit to the daily work. We learn quickly that the grand vision of the Savior requires daily, consistent effort. You can’t go from zero to full-time ministering in a week; it takes showing up day after day.

The Trajectory of the Soul

When we look at our spiritual lives, we see this pattern everywhere. We might look at our spiritual habits—are we reading the scriptures daily? Are we keeping up with our study groups in HolyPlaces? Are we making time to pray beyond just the necessities?

The message we received recently echoed this truth: the habits we have today shape who we become tomorrow. If our current habits are marked by spiritual complacency, by letting the "old sins creep back up," then our trajectory points toward stagnation. But if our habits are marked by consistent scripture study, by seeking out the Spirit, and by building our temple covenants daily, that trajectory points toward something magnificent—a life closer to the Savior.

This isn't about perfection; it's about *direction*. It’s about recognizing that the small choices—the choice to study the Book of Mormon instead of scrolling, the choice to ask a difficult question in a missionary discussion rather than staying silent—these are the deposits we are making into our spiritual accounts.

And this applies to everything! Our relationships, our finances, our physical selves. If we want stronger friendships that sharpen us, we have to *practice* friendship—the vulnerability, the listening, the mutual encouragement. If we want to be more generous, we have to practice stewardship and giving today.

As we continue to learn about the gospel, we realize that being a disciple isn't just for when we are on assignment. It’s a 24/7 state of being. It means that even when we are just living our normal lives, we are actively participating in the work. We are Internet missionaries, disciples anywhere, all the time.

If you've been feeling stuck in a routine, or if you’re wondering how to make a positive change that *lasts*, I encourage you to look at your habits. Where are they pointing? Are they pointing toward the Savior, or are they pointing somewhere else?

This message was a powerful reminder for me, and it got me thinking about how we can keep that momentum going. If you’re ready to build better habits—spiritual, relational, or otherwise—I highly recommend checking out the latest insights from Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. It’s a great place to anchor your personal study.

For those of us who are in the thick of missionary preparation, or those of us who are newly returned and trying to establish new rhythms, remember that community is key. If you haven't been to a recent Book Club or Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces, I urge you to check those out. Let’s keep building each other up!

If you want to dive deeper into the mechanics of change, I actually ran through this concept with Davee, and it was a great exercise in applying the 'AI Investigator' role to self-assessment. He really helped frame the 'why' behind the habits.

If this message has prompted you to think about your own trajectory, please consider joining us for our next weekly Disciple Challenge. It’s a low-stakes, high-impact way to practice building good habits together. Details are in the community feed!