One of my employees was talking about his son’s piano practice and how he believes it is important for his team to follow the same concept. It got me thinking. In almost every area of our lives we repeat to build muscle memory, gain strength, learn, and improve our skills. The same is true for forming habits. We have to repeat them, stay consistent, set reminders, and find accountability partners.
If we worked out once a week, tried a weekly cadence for a habit, or went to music lessons once a week and did not practice daily, our learning curve would be a sad looking graph.
Speaking of sad graphs, I have been working on learning “Amazing Grace” on my keyboard for almost a year now. I go without practicing for weeks on end and often have to start from scratch. Recently, I moved the keyboard to a more convenient spot. I cannot say I practice every day now, but the frequency has gotten better.
My whole point about practice is that talking to God and growing a strong relationship with Him takes time, especially because it is not as simple as walking up to someone tangible in person. We need consistency in the formation of our bond with our Lord. It takes time and effort.
Why then do some of us think that going to church once a week will strengthen our connection with God? Or that attending a few church events a year will strengthen our relationship with our fellow followers of Christ?
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
-Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Paul asks us to put the things we learn into practice. Over the years, I have sat through many Spirit filled sermons, some inspiring, some convicting, and others underscoring the love of our Lord. Though moved greatly by these sermons, I find myself returning to the blurring pace of life, following my own Bible reading schedule and slowly getting detached from the message.
I am sure pastors expect us to fold their message into every day of the week, all the way until the next Sunday. Also, what kind of family meets for only a few minutes every Sunday, or a few hours every quarter or so?
Some of your churches may have already solved this through life groups. I have heard some meet almost daily. Fellowship is the recommended antidote. I am guilty of not fellowshipping as much as I should. The bonds need to be strengthened for good deeds and love to flourish.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
-Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
After all, the more time we spend loving and being loved, the more we are reminded of our Savior’s love for us. A love that is far superior to anything any mortal being could ever conjure up.
I hope to practice fellowship and putting sermons into action with the help of my tribe. I cannot promise that I will ever play “Amazing Grace” amazingly well, but if I practice more, maybe it will get half as good as the bonds I am building with my family in Christ.
Dear God,
Please guide me to put into practice the wonderful words of love that You bring forth into my life through sermons and through people. May I learn and grow to make You the center of everything I do. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.