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The Pastoral Lens
With Consistency Lies the Power
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A number of years ago I was listening to a Christian speaker and she coined this phrase, which has stuck with me ever since: "With consistency lies the power." The concept is so simple, yet for some reason it is one that is not regularly achieved in the various ares of our lives. WE tend to swing towards one of 2 extremes. Euther we go gung ho on something and then fade quickly, or we just ignore something altogether and down the road find ourselves in a much bigger mess.Let's take fitness training, for example. I recently was blessed by a good friend with the gift of a one-year membership at a local gym. I am a regular runner, but I must say that workouts on a treadmill in front of sports shows really beat some of those bad weather days I've been enduring over the years. I spoke with one man recently about his regimen. Dave (not his real name) admitted to me that for the first 50 years of his life he "did absolutely nothing" as far as regular exercise is concerned. Now 54, he is trying to make up for lost time. I do give him credit for finally getting into the game (hopefully, with his doctor's advice), but he has an uphill battle in front of him. Others have signed up after an impulsive new year's pledge and fly out of the gate to get a fast start. Unfortunately, by not pacing themselves, sore muscles and fatigue help talk them out of continuing. They don't last and quit soon after their torrid start.
Fortunately, there are many others who are gym 'regulars' and it shows. I have also spoken to a few of these dedicated people. They are the ones who come 4-6 days per week, keep a log book to chart their progress, and are committed to living a healthier lifestyle. The results they have desired are visible. I heard one person say they tried exercising with DVD workouts at home but couldn't keep with it. For this person, coming to the gym each day has helped her to stay the course and work toward her goals.
What is true for fitness training is essentially true in other areas of our lives. I have made it a practice to read a portion of the Bible each day towards the goal of reading the whole Bible in a year's time. I have done this since 1989. I will admit, though, that when I started I had a lot of trouble. I was one of those "fast-out-of-the-gate" people. I would read a whole bunch of chapters for a few days and then hit a bump and miss some days. This hit and miss method was neither helping me to enjoy the reading I was doing, nor was it helping me to grow spiritually. Eventually, I found that by tackling a smaller, but manageable amount of reading, I was able to stay with it each day and reach my goal by year's end. The secret was definitely in the consistency.
I know 2 single moms who both desire to read their Bibles each day, regardless of their busy schedules. To do this, they have devised a plan whereby one of them calls the other one and they read aloud to each other over the phone. They take turns doing this. The dual strategy of consistency paired with accountability has reaped spiritual dividends for both of them.
I want to encourage you today as you are reading this column. Perhaps you are one of those people who made a new year's resolution but now that we are towards the midway point of January, your fast start has worn off and quitting seems inevitable. Not to worry! Pull backl a little on the throttle and aim at an achievable goal for each day. Invite a friend to do it with you. So, whether it is weight loss, saving money, Bible reading, or whatever, resolve to do it everyday. Keep a log and write things down for reference. But most of all, pray and ask God to help you be consistent. He is your main Source of help and encouragement.
