Robert’s Ramblings: Daily practice encourages growth
Your decrees are the theme of my songwherever I lodge.
In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
— Psalm 119: 54-56
Practice… About three years ago I re-injured my back. My physical therapist has given me a few exercises to stretch and strengthen my back, but if it weren’t for periodic video chats with him, I would not do them very often. Practice, daily practices! Why is it so difficult for us to continue to do those daily practices that are good for us!? The Jewish people had daily practices during the time of Jesus: prayers for morning, mid-day and evening, the touch of their doorpost in remembrance, the Law… and yet they often stumbled. Many of us have our morning prayers, our thanks-giving at meals, our reading of the Bible and commentaries, and yet I wonder if it is enough.
In his letter, Paul encourages the Romans to live with hope, patience, and faithfulness, and to share and practice hospitality. There is that word again, “practice.” I suppose that one of my personal problems is practicing hospitality; it is so easy to stay home and study and work on my projects and play games on the computer. I need to practice (that word again) hospitality. I need to go into town more often, or even walk around our neighborhood, to greet people, to smile a greeting to strangers, to share a kind word to those in need. I need to practice daily!
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12: 12-13
I pray that each of us may grow in our daily practices, whether in prayer, study, greeting or doing good works. I pray for your continued health and growth; remember – when a tree stops growing it begins to die.
Bob Beck is the former layleader for Ebbert Methodist Church and a faith columnist for The Chronicle.
