Consistency with Relationships

con·sist·ent

adjective /kənˈsistənt/ (of a person, behavior, or process) Unchanging in achievement or effect over a period of time – manufacturing processes require a consistent approach Compatible or in agreement with something – the injuries are consistent with falling from a great height (of an argument or set of ideas) Not containing any logical contradictions – a consistent explanation

Consistency: the act of being consistent.

Not only is this important in our everyday lives: work, relationships, our routine, etc. It is essential to our spiritual life: our relationship with Christ.

But why is it so difficult to be consistent? To pray everyday, every hour. To engage in his word, To engrave it on our hearts. To really strive to stay in a relationship with him.

The strange thing to think about is that our relationship with Christ is much like any other relationship: friendships, family, romance. You need to spend time together, talk to eachother, share your hearts, and have fun. But the real question is why is it so difficult to be consistent in this relationship in comparison to others?

My family is consistent within our relationship.

Gabby is my best friend and I consistently talk and spend time with her.

I love Mat and our relationship depends on spending time together consistently.

Maybe its because sometimes having a relationship with Christ is almost intimidating. He knows everything about you, he knows everything on your heart, and he knows what you really think about him and others. I think that many times its hard to take that time to be with God because we think that we aren’t worthy. That we will be judged. WRONG.

Maybe its because this relationship seems effortless. We say to ourselves that “God already knows everything about me, so why should I have to spend time with him? He already knows everything. There isn’t anything to catch up on.” WRONG

Maybe its because we are just plain lazy and create the illusion that we simply don’t have time to engage in this relationship. WRONG.

God wants to be in your life. He wants you to share your heart with him. Yeah, he may already know, but that does not change his desire to  know. Its like a best friend relationship. My best friend Gabby and I know EVERYTHING about eachother. Its actually ridiculous at times and somehow, I always have a feeling I know what is going on. However, that does NOT mean that I don’t want to hear her life, and her heart, from her. I may know everything about her, but hearing how she feels and not just assuming is what a relationship is about. It is consistency.

Could you imagine if I was “too lazy” to hang out with my boyfriend Mat? Or if I was scared to talk to Gabby because I would be judged? That makes NO sense. So why should our relationship with Christ be any different.

I am SO inconsistent with God and I want to change that. So… lets revamp the definition of consistent for us.

con·sist·ent

Consistency in Christ.

adjective /kənˈsistənt/ (of a person, behavior, or process) Unchanging over a period of time – maintaining our relationship with Christ requires consistent hang time. Compatible or in agreement with something – the healthiness of our relationships are consistent with spending time with Christ daily. (of an argument or set of ideas) Not containing any logical contradictions – a consistent and true relationship.

Let this be our prayer.

J