An act of faith never stands alone. In order to do anything that requires some risk you must believe that it is possible. Even if you act out of desperation thinking that this is your only hope, something in you has to say, “it just might work.” Faith requires action and faithfulness is the result of consistency. Both faith and faithfulness are necessary to become successful in any area of endeavor. The greater our vision, the more we will have to discipline ourselves to accomplish our goals.
If we are disciplined for success, our faith will help us to meet the challenges that we will face during the impending global crisis and beyond. Our faithfulness will help us develop new strategies and new behaviors that will help us finish strong in small and great objectives. Many people begin diets, exercise routines, classes, etc., and succeed in losing weight, getting in shape, or completing a course, only to go back to old habits and routines that lead to regaining weight, being out of shape again, and failing to complete a course of study beyond the one class. Faithfulness and consistency produce lifestyle changes. Someone once said that if you can do something consistently for twenty-one days, you can change or develop a new habit.
For many years I have had a routine of prayer and exercise in the morning, but I am learning that an excellent spirit in one area of my life and mediocrity in other areas can hinder my overall success in life. My present challenge is to strive for excellence in everything that I do. An adage that was told to me as a child helps me to be mindful of the need to do all things well. “If a task is once begun, leave it not until it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”