And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV).

After staring at my computer screen for what seemed like hours, I turned off the machine to escape the blinking cursor on the blank page. Frustration at my writing endeavors plagued me along with other areas of my life. Bible reading was sporadic and exercise non-existent. I couldn’t figure out why I had dissatisfaction in my soul.

One day while reading about laboring to rest in Hebrews, I meditated on that lesson and thought more deeply about God’s rest. Resting means listening, absorbing, and turning off everything but God’s Word.

When I rested, I could hear. And what I heard in my spirit was, Consistency is the key.

My loving heavenly Father was telling me that achievement depended on steadfastness in whatever goal is being pursued.

My resolve that day was to start getting up earlier in the mornings to read the Bible in the quietness of the day. I started a regular writing schedule, and the dust was blown off the treadmill. The first few steps were somewhat squeaky after the machine had experienced months of no use.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

Paul lived a life of consistent discipline. Even when he was terrorizing Christians, he never wavered from his goal. His misplaced passion pushed him toward what he thought was a defense of God. After encountering Christ, that same passion was now guided in the right direction. When he was persecuted, he didn’t give in. He didn’t forget the task God had laid upon his shoulders, and the world at that time was turned upside down because of his influence. Diligence in his work caused him to write most of the New Testament, and his words are still impacting us today.

He wrote from prison. Chains and bonds didn’t stop him. He continued to travel. Shipwrecks and storms didn’t stop him. He was told to keep quiet. Threats didn’t stop him. He pushed through the hardships of life and pressed toward the prize of the high calling of Christ (Philippians 3:14).

We are all given a high calling from Christ. We are not Paul, but we do have a sphere of influence. What we do in our personal lives will spill over into relationships. Constant faithfulness in following Christ and His Words will determine how powerful that impression will be.

That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12).

The most consistent person who ever lived was Jesus. We have no better example of life and discipline. When people were pulling him in every direction, He still took the time to spend with His Father because it was the most important thing in His life—even when it meant losing sleep and praying all night (Luke 6:12).

If consistency and diligence reign, it’s easier to put priorities in order. When Christ is the most important person in our lives, we can hear what He is saying. Consistency drowns out distractions, strengthens resolve against attacks and builds new habits that can last a lifetime.

A rewarded life will be the prize when we apply the power of consistency to everything we do.

Copyright © Barbara Latta

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