In order for a famous musician to offer a great concert, they practice. They begin with scales and other exercises and they practice their score. In order for a dance to shine on the stage, they must build their bodies and practice skills as well as the actual routine. The musician and dance both put in much for that relatively short time on the stage. They do so that they will seem like ‘naturals’ on the stage.
Do we live our life in such a way too? Do we read the Bible daily to gain knowledge and to find that little nugget each day that we can take with us and live with that day? Do we seek God’s presence during prayer throughout the day? Do we offer Him praise in both the good and the bad? Do we practice our disciplines so that living our faith is the ‘natural’ way that we live our life?
Or are we a little lacking on our daily homework? Is our practice insufficient for the important moments when God calls upon us to be His disciple each and every day? Or are we ready? Have we put in the time so that when another in need stands before us, that it just seems natural to offer what is needed? It is not for our glory that we serve. It is not so that the person walks away thinking how great a person we are. It is so that the person walks away thinking how great a God we serve. It is so that light that shines in us draws them to the Light of the world. That is why we practice.