A Word for the New Year: Consistency

A Word for the New Year: Consistency

  The questions are different, but the answers are the same.

What will protect us against foolish extremes?

What characterizes those who are habitually successful in sports, sales, or some other skill?

What single quality in a business builds respect better than any other?

What builds security in relationships?

What makes you choose a particular brand name over all the others?

What’s needed most by parents in the home?

What takes you back to the same restaurant time after time?

What do you want most from your mailman, dry cleaner, or church family?

What will add more effectiveness to your witness for Christ than anything else?

The word is consistency. Steadiness. You can count on it. It’ll be there tomorrow just like it was yesterday. It’s free from moods, sudden changes, or fads. Early in the day or late at night, consistency stands firm. When pain or hardship bites, consistency doesn’t bleed. When the majority is tired and irritable, consistency is stable and resilient. Consistency isn’t insensitive or boring, but reliable and faithful. It’s the stuff mothers are made of when their little ones get sick.

Consistency is seen in faithful employees who show up on time, roll up their sleeves, and commit themselves more to doing the job than watching the clock. Diligence is consistency’s brother, dependability its partner and discipline its parent.

When shifty, rootless times lob ridicule and criticism, consistency stands and takes it as silently as a bronze statue stands against the wind. Consistency doesn’t know ups and downs, highs or lows, rainy days or Mondays. It hates tardiness and absenteeism. Consistency thrives on sacrifice and unselfishness. It’s an obvious mark of maturity that hangs in there day in and day out in spite of everything that could get you sidetracked.

Paul had consistency in mind when he told Timothy to “be ready in season and out of season . . . “ (2 Timothy 4:2). When he encouraged the Galatian Christians, he was thinking about consistency, “ . . . let us not lose heart . . . for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9).

James called consistency “ . . . endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect . . .” (James 1:3b-4).

But best of all, consistency is best seen in Jesus “the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). When you need Him, He’s there. He’ll be there this year even when you don’t think you need Him.

Consistency. It’s a jewel worth wearing, the anchor worth weighing, the thread worth saving. It’s the battle worth winning. This year, show up early, be positive every day, and be consistent.

Oh, one more thing . . . If you’re a regular attender or member of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, consider reading Isaiah 43:1-7 to get ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale this coming Sunday, January 12, 2025

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.