Talkin’ about Practice, Man
I remember walking into Male High School as a freshman. On one of my first days there, I passed the starting Senior Quarterback in the hall. He was enormous. I thought, “I’m not even sure we’re from the same planet.” It was around that time I started thinking that people are either born good at something or not, and there’s not much in between. He was clearly born different. Of course I was only 13 years old, while he seemed to be 30, so there was still room for me to grow.
It was years later that I really started working on my 3-point shot and learned that if you put in the work, through practice (sorry Mr. Iverson, it is important), you actually can develop a skill. I wasn’t playing on any official team, and the NBA still wasn’t calling, but my shot for pick-up games improved significantly. I also used to be terrified of public speaking, but over time became comfortable in front of people. The point is, you can grow! I’ve since heard this called a ‘growth’ mindset (I can change and improve), versus a ‘fixed’ mindset (I guess this is just the way I am).
Sunday, Colby walked us through Philippians 4:8-9. Paul, after listing out a number of character qualities and virtues, such as truth, honor, justice, purity, and excellence, says this important phrase: “practice these things.” We’ve seen all throughout Philippians the tension between resting in Christ for who we are and also striving after Him to continue to grow. Here Paul gives us clear direction and hope: We can work on these areas of our lives, with practice, and we can expect to grow.
Directly after this he gives the reason why we should be all about improving our Christian virtue, because it will lead to the thing we all really want: “the God of peace will be with you.” Everyone wants peace and the presence of God, and both accompany the person practicing and growing in Christian character.
Recently a man shared with me his realization that when he walks with Christ, when he is diligent to be in community, to commit time to prayer, to carve out moments to study the Bible, life tends to go better for him. There is a practice to the Christian life that grows us closer to Christ, and the closer we are to Him, the more we experience His favor and blessing in our lives. You might look around the room on Sunday and think, “I’m not nearly as spiritual as some of these other people.” But the great reality, according to these verses in Philippians, is that you can grow! You don’t have to stay where you are.
Ultimately, our prayer is that our Christian growth would open doors for us to tell others all over the South End of Louisville about the change Christ has made in our lives and in our church.
Photo by Christopher Stites on Unsplash