We're talkin' 'bout Practice

As you may have realized by my incessant attempts to put words on a page, I'm the sort of person who enjoys forming arguments. I like to have my thoughts planned out ahead of time so that when the situation comes around to talk about it, I'm ready to do so. I think this stems at least partly from my competitive nature raised in sports. Only the incredibly elite and/or lucky can go into a high profile game unprepared and still excel; the rest of us have to practice in order to hone our skills.

The word "practice" has a nifty double meaning for Christians. In modern athletic terms, it means to drill and prepare beforehand so that our bodies and minds are ready to perform well when we are commanded to do so. In biblical terms, the word "practice" means to actively engage in activities so that they may have a profound impact on our lives. I don't think the two meanings are mutually exclusive in our lives.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you, by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. -- 1st Timothy 4:14-16

Practicing God's design is a lifestyle rather than an activity. By continually and diligently rooting out sin in our lives and instead working for God's favor, we facilitate a more godly mindset. People who are able to be humble in the good times are much more prepared to be confident in the bad times; the practice of devotion makes us more wholly devoted people. We still take cues from our Father and he still provides us with the commands to act, the tools to succeed, and the insurance of his fruit, but we can ready ourselves for such times. The practice of living for God inherently begets a more Godly lifestyle, and will allow us to be confident in God's plans when he presents them.