Practice Makes Permanent

Many years ago I had a PE teacher tell me what I'm sure you had a teacher tell you, "practice makes perfect." That simple statement applies to a variety of skills in our life: academics, athletics, musical performance, as well as the simple tasks of making our bed, or cleaning the house.  There is only one problem, that statement is dead wrong.

Practice does not make something perfect, practice makes something permanent. Whatever you were doing, right or wrong, you are going to get better at it, and it will become part of the ingrained habits of your life.  It will be a near automated response, healthy or unhealthy - whatever it is that you do daily.  So what is it that you are now practicing that is becoming - or already feels - permanent in your life?

What financial habits feel permanent in your life?

What daily rhythms of prayer or lack thereof feel set in your life?

What conversational habits that either encourage or denigrate other people are becoming constants in your daily conversation?

How has being stubborn with your grudges - or giving people grace - become a permanent habit of your soul?

Make no mistake, spiritually, practice makes permanent. What you are doing right now is what you will likely continue to do - without a God-guided intervention in your life. And the less you are asking God to help you change... and then following through on His leadings... you will simply become better and more ingrained at the unhealthy and sinful habits that we all so readily adopt as adults in the world.

It isn't impossible to change course.  Far from it.  One simple habit that I would encourage you to make a priority this weekly worship.  Many of us will say how busy we are, and how overextended our calendars have become. But that itself is a bad habit that has become a way of life. Busy-ness is not a badge of honor, but consistently seeking God in worship, and placing your soul before God with others IS.