“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:4 RSV)
As I write this I am reflecting on the triumph of a project FINISHED. In 2019 I painted most of the rooms in our newer-to-us house, but ran out of time and energy to paint our master bathroom. Since it was a tolerable dull tan I let it go until this spring when I decided that this summer was the time to paint that bathroom. Last week it was cleaned and yesterday was the day for painting. By 7:20 a.m. I’d finished the first sealing coat for the ceiling and by 9 p.m. last night the ceiling and walls were painted at least twice. Hallelujah! Mission accomplished!
Today I am reminded that every achievement comes with cost. Today my body is reminding me that I don’t normally do things above my head – like paint ceilings. And I don’t spend much time on the floor painting around trim. And I don’t keep wrestling a ladder in and out of the shower in order to reach the upper areas. Today my body is protesting the cost of my achievement. A gentleman at our church is a professional painter and I expect that he’s not only more efficient in the painting process, but that his body no longer complains about ceilings, ladders, and trim work. I expect that because he consistently uses his body to achieve his goals, his body is in shape for the work he does. Is my body in shape for painting? Not so much.
I am much better at being consistent at things I love to do – like playing piano/keyboard. Because I have consistently trained my body for playing, I can achieve my goal of playing a song, or for worship, or for myself with almost no perceived effort. Things that we do consistently become “second nature” – easy and with no great thought. People who consistently run 5-10 miles a day can do it seemingly without much effort. People who consistently gripe and complain or worry and fret do it without thinking much about it. People who consistently read the Bible, attend worship services, and pray can commune with God without great angst. What we do consistently – good or bad – becomes part of us.
Were today’s aches and pains worth the achievement of a newly painted bathroom? YES. I’d been staring at those tan walls for six years; it was time for a freshening up. Is being able to play piano well worth the years of practice, lessons, and rehearsals? YES. Consistency makes a difference.
We read Bible stories that tell us how consistency makes a difference. Noah and his sons worked consistently on the ark for over 100 years – and it saved them in the catastrophic flood. Daniel consistently prayed to Yahweh, even when it was decreed he could only pray to the king, and God saved him in the lion’s den. Anna and Simeon consistently worshipped in the Temple and had the honor of holding the newborn Messiah – Jesus – in their hands. Consistent practice of the right things helps make us healthy and strong. All the things your mother told you about consistently eating good food, exercising well, sleeping enough, etc. etc. help you keep physically healthy and strong. May we be as consistent in our spiritual disciplines so we, too, can be spiritually strong.
Strengthening God,
Thank you for your Word and your Wisdom that help us know how to be healthy and strong. Thank you for the ways in which you strengthen us so that we can achieve what you need us to do. Help us to release things we do consistently that are not of you, but to be consistent in the things of the Lord like Noah, Daniel, Simeon, and Anna were. Help us to have steadfast endurance and patience, to not allow ourselves to get fatigued, and to work for the benefit of all. May our consistency in YOU help us harvest the good crop of righteousness you have for us. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” (Galatians 6:9 MSG)
“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (Daniel 6:10 NIV)