2 Peter 1:3-11
“Excuse me?” my friend said as I mumbled the words one more time. I was practicing my Spanish, but it wasn’t going well. I tried once more to be understood, saying, “My name is Britt. What’s yours?” For whatever reason, I could not get the words right. My friend laughed and said, “You need to practice your Spanish more. You will never learn the language if you don’t practice it regularly.”
Years later I shared this story with a group of youth prior to a trip to the Dominican Republic. Many of them were taking Spanish at school and they wanted to know if they would be able to speak in Spanish with the people we would be working alongside. I told them they would, but I explained, “You will want to start practicing now. Like tying your shoe, you need to do it every day if you want to be comfortable and fluent.”
Practicing anything takes time, effort, and patience. It is also true that without practice, we can lose our fluency. Whether we are learning a new language, playing an instrument, or deepening our prayer life, without practice there can be no growth.
“Practice makes perfect” is not a statement I agree with. What I do believe, however, is that practice makes progress. Practice creates fluency, which allows us to deepen our relationship with God and one another. Or as Peter tells us, practice ensures you will never stumble (v. 10).
Consider
What is something you must practice regularly? How does practice help you grow and remain fluent? What is something you practice that helps you grow closer to God and neighbor?
Pray
God, thank you for giving us minds that desire to learn and grow. Help us to practice our faith as we practice our talents and hobbies. May our practice deepen our connection to you and to our neighbors. Amen.