When the worship service is over {Consistent daily life}

{Continuing our study of Psalm 27. We’ve looked at confidence,the fear of man,vision,beauty, worship, and facets of worship…welcome back!}

Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. (11-12)

We’ve come down off the mountaintop of worship into the daily grind of life. Sometimes this descent can be disturbing, abrupt, discouraging. Sort of like leaving an awesome Christian conference.

We’ve just had an encounter with God. He’s given us confidence and vision, He’s let us see His beauty and we’ve become enthralled in worshipping His name.

Now, this is the Monday morning of Psalm 27. For the six days where we do not meet for corporate worship, we need God to teach us to walk a level path. We desperately need consistency in order to remain, to abide, in His presence.

Few characteristics are more critical to the Christian life than consistency, or steadfastness, and therefore this will be the primary area where spiritual attack will occur. If the enemy of our souls cannot lead us into grievous sin he will at least try to keep us from consistently abiding in Christ. He will seek to make our lives haphazard.

Consistency, steadfastness, faithfulness, stability — these qualities aren’t touted and praised much in our culture. We’re told to do what feels good, follow your heart, indulge, let yourself loose.

And yet, growth or mastery in any area requires consistency. Any personal trainer will tell you that consistency is key. Running two miles every single day is better than running fourteen every Saturday. A steady, balanced diet over the long haul is better than a crash-diet to lose five pounds by this weekend’s wedding. Consistency is always the key.  The level path.

Webster defines consistency as: marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity.

Wouldn’t it be a beautiful witness if our lives were marked by harmony, by regularity and steady continuity. If we moved between our work and church and family and friends in a seamless manner, not given to hypocrisy but characterized by integrity and wholeness. Consistency is what will take us from a rollercoaster of frustration and defeat to a level path of joy, peace, and purpose.

Let’s hold up the mirror of God’s Word and take an honest look at the consistent character and conduct of our lives.

Consistent Character:

• Joy: Am I steadfast in rejoicing? Am I deliberate every single day in choosing to rejoice despite my circumstances?
• Peace: Is my life characterized by anxiety or peace? What would my family, friends, co-workers say?
• Patience: Do I lose my patience in a check-out line or waiting in traffic? Do I show great patience for others and yet often snap or lose my temper with my family?
• Kindness: Do I show kindness to others only when others are looking?
• Goodness: What movies do I watch? What music do I enjoy? Would I be comfortable letting my pastor look through my internet history? Do I consistently set my mind on things that are good and lovely?
• Gentleness: Am I harsh or short with my spouse, roommate, kids, parents? Do I use sarcasm?
• Faithfulness: Do I follow through on my commitments even when it costs me something personally? When my circumstances change do I remain committed to my word? What kind of friend am I? What would others say?
• Self-control: Do I indulge myself when I’m alone in ways that I wouldn’t if others were around? Do I have a quick-tongue, always speaking my mind, or am I slow to speak?

Consistent Conduct:

• Do I show up on time for work? Do I often make others wait for me? Am I habitually late for meetings?
• Do I follow-through on my chores or work at home? Do others often have to pick up after me or cover for me?
• Do I have good personal hygiene habits? Do I exercise regularly? Do I eat a healthy, balanced diet?
• Do I attend church regularly? Do I tithe regularly? Do I read my Bible and pray regularly? Do I regularly meet with other believers for fellowship and accountability?
• Do I serve on a regular basis? Have I diligently explored ways that I can consistently use my time and talents to serve others and further God’s kindgom?

Am I someone who others can count on? Am I the same at work as I am at church? Do I have anything to “hide”?

All of us have areas of inconsistency in our lives. The key is remembering that in reality we always act in ways that are consistent with our beliefs. So if our actions aren’t lining up with what we say, chances are we don’t really believe what we say we believe. We always act out of what we believe. If we believe God is glorious and good and altogether sufficient, our actions will be wholly consistent with that. If we do not, in some measure, believe that, our actions will be consistent with that too. This is why all sin is a personal affront to God. It all comes from some area of unbelief.

So our job is to evaluate these areas honestly and ask God to show us where we have unbelief in our hearts. We can repent, turn, and be given a fresh measure of faith to overcome these areas of inconsistency in our lives. And we must do just that every single day.

{For today, what area of inconsistency is God putting His finger on? How can you agree with Him and ask for His grace to grow? He loves us too much to let us stay the same! Thank you, friends, for reading.}