The Model of Consistency

I was looking at the previous post and realized I had really gotten carried away with the past history of two National Football League teams - the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.  I really wanted to make the connection between the model of consistency shown by the Green Bay organization and how (as followers of Jesus) we are called to be consistent in Christ.

There are a host of characteristics that we are called to demonstrate consistently - characteristics such as honesty, fairness, justice, not making judgments, responsibility - just to name a few.  

The author of Hebrews compares living the Christian life to running a race.  Think about the example of those who compete in the Olympic Games.  We see the training that goes into preparing each participant for a game.  That preparation begins at a very early age.  It requires discipline, dedication, commitment and hard work.  Running a consistent race depicts a believers struggle to run in the race of life.

Not unlike an NFL team that models consistency, we are called to do the same as we journey through our own daily lives.  It does require a disciplined approach.  It can help us tremendously if we can stick to the disciplines that we embrace - even in the difficulty moments in life.  We may not always win every battle, but the war has already been won.

Followers of Jesus are the victors!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." - Hebrews 12:1-3a