Practice not to be perfect, but to be faithful.

​I can never get over the fact that doctors are always practicing medicine. 
Practice, practice, practice…
All of my children had at least a year of piano lessons, and with those came the obligation to practice. Contrary to their objections, they did live through their piano years and have come to appreciate the basic musical knowledge gained by the experience.

Practice makes perfect. That’s what the wordsmiths say. But as I think about the Christian walk I believe that God would desire us to practice what we preach not so we could be perfect, but that we would be faithful to Him.

The Pharisees thought they were practicing their religion so well that they fooled themselves in believing that fulfilling the letter of the law (in their estimation) was as good as perfect.

What God requires of us is perfection that mirrors Himself. Ain’t no way to get close to that! But in confession and repentance and by humbling ourselves so as to put on Christ’s righteousness, God can look on us and see His own reflection.

This is the faithful practice God loves.

From it develops a heart that is tender and responsive to the Holy Spirit.

In this practice our wayward thinking finds the plumb line of the Word of God. We begin to practice what He preaches.

Our lives begin to represent with more authenticity what God desires in His people: wholehearted obedience, love of mercy, walking humbly, doing justly, all for the sake of His Name.

This will fly in the face of worldly ideals.

This will not be understood by the un-regenerated person.

It is a calling to be different from the norm.

This time we have in this world is a preparation for the world to come. We are practicing what we believe for the heavenly country that is truly our home.

Keep your eyes on the prize of Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.

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This post is brought to you by the weekly prompt – Practice. You can find more posts on this word at the writer’s community called Five Minute Friday, hosted by Kate Motaung.

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