Monday, November 19, 2007

Big Numbers in Small Chunks

This morning I calculated that I could end up with between 850 and 900 miles for the year by December 31st. That would be more than twice the mileage that I have ever run in any given year. The reality is that the big number is more a function of many 4-5 mile runs rather than the occasional 14-mile run. The big number comes from consistency in the small numbers over time.

A decent life lesson. A person who is consistent in their schoolwork or job performance or relational connections will be miles ahead of the person who is brilliant from time to time, but slacks off in between the flashes of brilliance. Relationally this is certainly true. Just having a great date or a good meal together with friends feels fantastic for a while, but if the "event" is followed by weeks or months of distance, then it seems like something out of a museum more than a living, breathing relationship.

Same seems to be true spiritually. You go to a conference or a retreat or a moving worship experience and it feels really good, affirming, and satisfying. But if God is forgotten (in reality or practically) for the next few days or weeks, then that great experience becomes mostly something to look back on with some level of longing. Then the danger is that a person's spiritual life becomes a matter of chasing spiritual mountaintop experiences more than pursuing God.

In all of these aspects of life the hard work is in the consistency of the day-to-day. But that is where the reward is as well. Then, before we know it we can look back and see how far we have come--and celebrate!

2 comments:

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