“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!”
Psalms 119:5
Oooh, you gotta just hate that.
Messing up, I mean.
You know. When your actions don’t match what you stand for. As in, ‘do what I say, not what I do’.
Ugh.
How many resolutions have you made – and broken – in your life?
Yeah. Me too.
Talk less. Exercise more. Curb the complaints. Amp up the acts of kindness and grow the grace. All good impulses.
Just hard to follow up on.
Which is why these words, penned so long ago by the man called a man after God’s own heart, are so crucial to understanding the process of living by faith.
See, like David, we all mess up.
Oh, we mean well. Our intentions are of the highest quality. But desire and opportunity are not enough. Nor is wishful thinking.
Somehow, we need to come to grips with the reality – our most consistent behaviour is inconsistency.
We just keep running up against it. It’s inevitable.
How – well, discouraging.
On our own, we just can’t choose what is right and good every time.
Which is why we need Jesus.
His grace. His forgiveness. His mercy and kindness and generosity and compassion.
His love.
I wish I always behaved in ways that honoured the truth I stand for.
I really do.
But when I mess up, I’m equally glad that I have Someone to turn to, Someone who will pick me up and set me back on my feet and gently prod me in the right direction.
When my walk doesn’t add up to my talk, when I mess up, when I make the wrong choice and walk through the wrong door and stick both feet (and both fists) in my mouth, I’m so grateful for the continued mercy shown me by One whose heart beats with the steady rhythm of forgiveness. He is willing to provide the opportunities for practice that I need for success. He is available to guide and direct and redirect and never seems to tire of redemption.
Now, that adds up to bountiful blessings, don’t you think?
Keep actively pursuing a life of faith that adds up with me?
Father, failure is so much a part of our experience! Thank You for Your willingness to forgive, and Your patience with us as we learn and seek Your path. Amen.
Growing in Grace 