If you’ve ever played an instrument, been in a dance recital, created a new recipe, learned to write code or picked up a foreign language, all of these actions have a common requirement; PRACTICE!
Practice helps refine the skill or gift to a level where your expertise becomes innate or more familiar as opposed to foreign.
For example, one might have a bedtime routine. Some of us say prayers before bed while others don’t bring their cellphones into the bedroom or have a television in the room. That practice is repetitive, intentional. There may be good nights and bad depending on travel, life, family, etc. Yet, it’s a practice that may now be a routine, if you haven’t introduced any new elements to it in a while.
This got me thinking. What might I be able to alter in my daily life and change into a practice for spiritual benefit. There are some very basic ones I noted.
- Forgiveness
- Humility
- Patience
Do I forgive in the moment? Is it natural? It might not be, however I could work on doing it more quickly or genuinely if I’ve been living the practice.
When someone cuts me off while driving, I have to check myself and my emotions. I’m still unharmed and the vehicle undamaged. Even if it wasn’t the case, by purposely providing forgiveness, my heart is prepared for when these surprise situations happen.
Initially it can be difficult or uncomfortable. It requires repetition and discipline. It requires having a plan. Practice necessitates making time. Still, keep practicing. Adding and removing what works best based on the season or effectiveness and availability.
Figure out what you can begin to add to a daily practice. Set a an alarm or reminder and then follow your practice schedule. Then break it down every week or two. Find tools that help you grow in it like things to read (shameless plug for you to read more Devotable posts), get a trusted partner for accountability, etc. Where are you missing the boat? Where are you finding the sweet spot? That’s just one example. By all means figure out how your sessions should go and try them out.
Practice operating in the spirit to improve that area lacking solid footing and I’m sure you’ll see how much it can have serious effect on you and those around you. No games. Just practice and it will do your preaching, plus some.
Quentin G. Love is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of ministers. None of that makes him a minister, just a P-K from around the way. Here to serve Christ via my gifts.
