Practice

People with diabetes need foot exams, shoes-and-socks-off assessments for nerve damage and any signs of ulcers or high-risk areas.  Come with me into the exam room where a foot exam has just been completed.  The patient is seated on a chair to the right of the doctor, his feet bare.  His wife is seated in the corner across from him, and the doctor is on his wheeled stool, filling out the paperwork needed to confirm the medical necessity of specialized “diabetic footwear.”  It is 12:15.  The doctor has had a busy morning, fast-paced and filled with decisions and diagnoses and interactions with patients and their families and with his team.  His stomach is rumbling, and he is ready to take a break and eat.  And, as much as he enjoys caring for patients, he is not a fan of filling out forms.  But he is pushing onward, getting it done, propelling himself toward lunch.   

And then he stops.  All at once, in the midst of a job that is rather routine for him, his thoughts turn from the paper in front of him and from the lunch ahead of him to the patient beside him.  It is time for the socks and shoes to go back on.  The patient knows that and is shifting in his seat, leaning forward a bit.  It is clear that he is not physically able to bend down and put on his own shoes and socks.  His wife sees this and, herself with significant mobility issues, is gearing up to come over and help get the job done.  The doctor sees also, and for what takes only a few seconds, he has an internal dialogue.   

“You need to put his shoes and socks on for him. 

She can get it – she does it every day.  I’m helping already by completing this authorization.   

It would just take a minute. 

It’s awkward.  It might make him embarrassed if I do that.   

Remember the study last night?  Jesus washing His disciples’ feet?” 

And the thoughts turn to action as the doctor gets up and stoops down and puts on his patient’s socks and shoes.

This is a true story.  It happened on Thursday and was told Thursday evening when dad and mom and son were having a discussion about jobs that are unpleasant but valuable.   

I thought of it again as I drove to work on Friday.  How beautiful!  Spending time studying God’s Word in community with other believers on Wednesday night led to a changed moment on Thursday.  That moment influenced me (and hopefully my son).  Who knows what effect it had on the patient or his wife?  It is a perfect example of what the apostle James was writing about: 

“Don’t, I beg you, only hear the message, but put it into practice; otherwise you are merely deluding yourselves.  The man who simply hears and does nothing about it is like a man catching the reflection of his own face in a mirror.  He sees himself, it is true, but he goes on with whatever he was doing without the slightest recollection of what sort of person he saw in the mirror.  But the man who looks into the perfect mirror of God’s law, the law of liberty (or freedom), and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets.  He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness.”  James 1:22-25 PHILLIPS 

Don’t just hear.  Put it into practice.  Make a habit of looking into God’s Word, and do what it says.  This is transformation.  It happens one decision at a time, and its effects ripple across families and communities, multiplying the transformation and spreading the love of Jesus.   

Paul said, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:9 

Practice.  The potential for us to live like Jesus is present because of God’s grace.  That grace has planted faith in our hearts and is available in abundant supply to allow our transformation to Christlikeness.  We choose to “put into practice.”  We exercise the grace we have been given in multiple moments throughout our days.  In his book The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity, Matthew Kelly calls the times where we choose to cooperate with God “holy moments.”  He claims that these seemingly small movements can translate into changes that have the potential to change our culture.  There is no doubt that they change us.   

Mentioned in a previous post is the book The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.  This is advice from the 17^th century about allowing God into your day and your life by starting small and by training your thoughts.   

Don’t worry that you are not good enough or not ready – the very word practice implies that you are a work in progress.  It also implies repetition and some discomfort. 

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise both for the present and the life to come. 

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.”  I Timothy 4:8-10 

Of course let’s practice reading the Bible and doing what it says.  That’s a must. 

Let’s practice encouraging and gathering with other believers.  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24-25 

Let’s practice joy and patience and prayer and generosity and hospitality.  “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13-15 

Let’s practice filling our minds with “these things.”  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8 

Let’s practice praying instead of worrying.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:6 

When we fail, let’s practice getting back at it instead of being stuck.   

God has given us “everything we need for life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3).  Let’s practice! 

I typically close with a prayer, but today I close with a challenge.  Right now, as you finish reading, practice praying.  Ask God to let you know where to practice today and to remind you to practice as the day and the week roll on.   

-Leah