Consistency

What an important word: Consistency. 

To be honest, I never thought much about it. But that would be consistent with my inconsistency.  This year, a buddy and I have decided to do an Ironman. I have done several triathlons over the last 6 years and loved every one of them.  Although they have all been challenging, and I have pushed myself at times through pain just to finish. I have enjoyed finding out what I can do. How hard I can push. 

For me, it is a good means of learning to push through when times are tough.  A skill that is only learned among trials. In studying my training for the Ironman, I have heard a lot about the importance of consistency. The athletes that finish well have been the most consistent. This is a struggle for me cause I am not consistent, my schedule is always changing and so are my plans. 

The thought of consistency, however, has got me thinking. where else do I need consistency? One of the areas I have learned to be consistent in is my time with God. This has a huge effect on my life. My Family, and on my work. If I am not scheduled and consistent with my time with God, everything else quickly suffers. Yes, I can battle through without them, but for some reason having a regular morning appointment with God seems to make everything flow better. It makes me happier. It makes me balanced in my opinions, and in my emotions. 

I will admit, that it has taken me years to figure out how to do this, but you don't have to be as slow as me.  Today, tomorrow, this week, spend a specific time early in the morning and walk with God. 

Psalm 63
A Psalm of David when he was in the Desert of Judah.

1 God, you are my God.
    I seek you with all my heart.
With all my strength I thirst for you
    in this dry desert
    where there isn’t any water.
2 I have seen you in the sacred tent.
    There I have seen your power and your glory.
3 Your love is better than life.
    So I will bring glory to you with my lips.
4 I will praise you as long as I live.
    I will call on your name when I lift up my hands in prayer.
5 I will be as satisfied as if I had eaten the best food there is.
    I will sing praise to you with my mouth.
6 As I lie on my bed I remember you.
    I think of you all night long.
7 Because you have helped me,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I hold on to you tightly.
    Your powerful right hand takes good care of me.
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed.
    They will go down into the grave.
10 They will be killed by swords.
    They will become food for wild dogs.
11 But the king will be filled with joy because of what God has done.
    All those who make promises in God’s name will be able to brag.
    But the mouths of liars will be shut.