In life, we tend to overlook the importance of consistency. One off’s in the right direction are great, but they will rarely bring us the results that we’re after. Growth and progress in life are often a result of consistency. We have to keep on doing the right things. This is true in our spiritual walk, our relationships, our health, our money, and so on. We must understand that consistency matters and we must keep doing the right thing over and over- despite our results.
Recently, in Sunday School, we discussed the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. This is the familiar story of them being thrown into the fiery furnace, due to them not bowing before the king’s golden image. As I read Daniel 3, what stood out to me is how they did the right thing, without presuming what the result would be. Daniel 3:17-18 reads:
“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
This is so good. In their response, you see that they were committed to doing right, while humbly acknowledging that their actions do not dictate a desired response. In this we see their acknowledgement of who is in control. God.
Our actions are often laced with such pride that we think If I do this, then that will happen. I get it. The world that we live in pumps us up with this pride. We read books that guarantee us success, claiming that if we do these 10 steps, we will get the results that we’re after. I don’t know about you, but God has shown me time and time again that I am not in control. We are not in control. Instead of focusing on control, we must focus on consistency.
We must remain committed to doing right, no matter what.
This mindset is humbling. In our pursuit of particular results, as we all have desires, we realize that our actions will not always determine the results that we see. Even in that, I’m reminded that “the just shall live by faith” [Hebrews 10:38].
There will be times when our circumstances do not line up with our desires or expectations, but this is why we live by faith. As Christians, our sight cannot be solely natural. We must mature to seeing spiritually. This spiritual sight will motivate us to do what is right, in God’s eyes.
As it relates to developing better habits, walking more like Christ, or any other goal that you may have; consistency matters. We must remain focused on consistency, no matter what. We won’t always get it right, but we can’t let our shortcomings stop us. Nor, can we allow the words of others poison our self-identity.
We must base our identity and our actions on the Word of God.
As we do, we will be empowered to keep on going when no one is cheering for us in the stands. We can live with an audience of One, remaining committed to doing His will, no matter what. No matter the outcome, we must remember that consistency matters.
I will also add that when we are focused on change, we must anticipate some time. Our bad habits and behaviors have consequences, and just because we’ve done it right a few times, we have to let the old run its course, while we are beginning to plant new seeds. Again, we are not in control.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
– Galatians 6:7-9
So often, we do things for the wrong reasons. Pride, appearances, impressing, and applause, all have a way of motivating us. God is not pleased with us doing the right things from the wrong heart space. He is concerned with the heart. He sees the heart [I Samuel 16:7].
For this reason, He will often remove the things that are inappropriately motivating us. He desires to have our heart, and when He has our heart, we will grow to doing the right things out of our love and admiration for Him. This is the goal.
As we grow in this motivation, we will be consistent in doing the right things, because we know that He sees and He knows, even if no one else does. Consistency matters.
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