Regular Practice

I am a believer in practice. I believe that great athletes practice their craft even when they are not playing. I believe that is exactly what makes them great. When I was a kid, watching Kentucky basketball, there was a player named Kyle Macy – he was an amazing free throw shooter. When the game was on the line, you wanted him on the free-throw line. His free throw percentage was 92%. There were stories about how much he practiced his shooting. There were similar stories of Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and I’m sure many, many more. I’m not sure that I believe practice makes perfect, but practice can make me better.

I started reading the book of Job this morning. The first chapter sets up the entire book. Check this out….

¹There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. ² He had seven sons and three daughters. ³ He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.

⁴ Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. ⁵ When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. (Job 1:1-5 NLT)

I had to stop for a minute and take in the attributes of this man. He disproves what some folks believe that you can’t be wealthy and trust in the Lord. I haven’t believed this for a long time. It simply takes a little perspective.  I have considered myself wealthy for several years even before I became a success in business.  I believe that some of the kindest and generous people I know are wealthy; they are givers and they love the Lord.  I just stopped in my tracks as I read how Job prayed for his children and offered sacrifices for their spiritual healing and forgiveness.

I don’t wish to go through what Job went through. I simply wish to walk with the Lord as my regular daily practice.  I have to admit that I’d like a life that is pain free and worry free. I’d like a life where things go exactly as I had hoped or planned for them. I learned a long time ago, that those kinds of lives only exist in the movies or “reality” television.

Every day is a new day – a blessing from the Lord. His mercies are new each morning. I want to connect with the Lord the first thing each morning to hear from Him. I want Him to press in upon my heart what He wants from me. I want His Presence to press in on me. I want His love to fill my soul. I want His grace to overwhelm me. I want His hope to inspire me. I want His Word to motivate me as part of my regular practice or routine. Faithfulness is not a public show, it is a private viewing of the crevices of my soul. I want to know the Lord whether anyone else knows me or knows about me. I’ve walked with Him for many years and I want to finish my days walking with Him daily. I want my morning time with Him to be my regular morning practice.

Pressing On!

Dwayne