A Life of Consistency

When I think about the kind of life I want to live, there is one word that could be used to describe it. I want to live a life of consistency. The men and women who inspire me, the individuals I look up to, are people who lead consistent lives. 

By definition, consistency means “firmness of constitution or character: persistency” (Merriam-Webster). Those who lead lives of consistency live in such a way that their character, their attitude, and their behavior are unwavering. They devote themselves to the Lord; they attend church regularly, serve in the ways they have been called to, read the Bible, pray, and seek to know Christ more. They go to work every day, work hard, persevere through issues, and do their best at their job, glorifying God in the way they do so. They love their family, sacrificing for their spouse and loving their children, always thinking about how they can better lead them. They are dependable; you know that you can always count on them in a time of need and that they will be a helpful presence. 

To actually live the life God has called us to as His people requires consistency. It is far easier to make a public declaration for Jesus and say that you are going to change than to actually live out a life of obedience surrendered to God. 

The Bible describes the kind of life we should live as “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:2-4). A consistent life is marked by peace and quiet as well as Godliness and dignity. The Bible says here that leading such a life is good and pleases God, who desires all people to be saved. A life marked by consistency glorifies God and points those who are far from God to the truth. 

The alternative is a life of inconsistency. This means that you have no steady anchor, no sure and firm foundation. Your life is a tumultuous sea of changes, an unceasing spinning of revolving doors. Your ideas and beliefs about the world change with the times. Your loyalty to your friends and family depends on your emotions. An inconsistent life is unpredictable, and it yields an unreliable person. However, most tragically, such inconsistency means we are disobedient to the Lord and our lives are displeasing to Him. 

This is not the kind of person I want to be, and I pray it is not who you want to be, because God has called us to a greater life. 

I’d like to close this devotional with a few Bible verses that speak of perseverance and consistency in your walk with the Lord. May they encourage us to live in such a manner. 

• “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
• “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
• “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23