Consistency

Scripture

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. -Galatians 6:9

As I have matured on my journey with the Lord, one thing that He's taught me is that consistency is key. Through my Christian life, from childhood up to adulthood, I've heard believers be reminded to read their word or pray, love others as you love yourself, and give cheerfully. These instructions from spiritual leaders were often accompanied by scriptures, of course. However, I wasn't taught to be a consistent Christian. Looking back, I now understand why  things didn't quite work out the way I hoped or suffered disappointment. When my knowledge of the Kingdom of God grew, the Holy Spirit helped me understand that there were responsibilities I had that required my continual endeavor. It wasn't enough to just learn about Kingdom principles, receive them, and apply them once. Kingdom principles had to be implemented in my daily life; my interactions with people and my interactions with the Lord. The more knowledge I acquire about who I am, the weightier the responsibility to be consistent in becoming who God called me to be. 

So much of our Christian walk is about our continuous effort. Six o'clock one Sunday morning, I received a text message that I allowed to distract me for the rest of the morning. I thought about it on and off during praise and worship and the sermon. I could hardly engage in the service because my thoughts kept landing on the message I had received earlier that morning. After church, I repented to the Lord for allowing distraction in my life. What should I have done? I should have applied II Corinthians 10:5 to the situation immediately, "Cast down every imagination that exalts itself up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ." I noticed that I had been having several moments where I lamented about not immediately responding to a situation with the word, or allowed the Holy Spirit to remind me of who I am and what I'm called to do in a given situation. The key is to consistently cast down every imagination and to consistently do what I've been taught to do by the Holy Spirit. It's time out for forgetting and getting caught off guard by circumstances and situations that life and people bring to us.  

The Holy Spirit, as gracious as He is, spoke to my spirit and said, "Be consistent in applying the truths that I've taught you. You will see things change. " What He was saying was be consistent in following Kingdom principles, and I will see things shift around me, I will change, doors will be opened, opportunities will arise, my mind will be renewed, and I will continue to spiritually grow. After a while, it will simply be obvious that I'm going from faith to faith and from glory to glory if I continue in well-doing and faint not. I'll see a harvest from the Lord. 

Beloved, the Lord has called us all to be consistent in applying the truths that He is teaching us. He honors our consistent effort to be obedient to Him. Are you consistent in God's truth, or do you feel like you have to go back to the drawing board? I want to encourage you today to stay consistent in what God has already spoken to your heart. You will not fail.

Prayer

Father, we ask for strength and grace to consistently live out our spiritual life through obedience. Help us to stay focused and to persevere on our Christian journey with You. We pray for strong and unwavering faith when circumstances arise, and help us not to be easily shaken. In His name. Amen