Practice. Practice. Practice. We’ve heard it drilled into us since we were kids. “Practice makes perfect,” we were told. If we accept the word “perfect” as the Bible teaches it—meaning mature—then Jesus said the same thing in story form. Except it wasn’t about perfecting piano technique or dribbling and shooting skills. It was about practicing the skill of transformation—hearing God’s word and applying it to our lives, exhibiting the willingness to change. When a woman was overcome with Jesus’ teaching, she shouted from the crowd, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth.” Jesus countered, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:27-28) In story form, Jesus described such a person as wise, building a foundation for his house on rock rather than sand. Neither torrents of rain nor battering wind would shake that house from its foundation. In contrast, the foolish man sticks to his ways and never changes. Failing to practice, practice, practice, his house falls with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27) The point is simple: If all is right in your world now, look outside. Is it because of fair weather? If a storm is raging and your house is shaking, or even collapsed around you, dig deeper. Below the sand of self-reliance is a firm foundation, the Rock of Christ. It just takes practice, practice, practice.

Your thoughts? How are your transformation skills shaping up? Are you looking for new ways to apply God’s word in your life?

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