The Value of Practice

This time of year is very busy for my family. One son is on the track team (throwing events), one son is on the baseball team and in band, my daughter is on the archery team and is also beginning to practice for softball, plus other school events, church events, and family events. It makes for a very full calendar. I missed writing a post last week - mainly because we were just not at home long enough at any point for me to get it done.

When it comes to sports, most everyone can agree on the value of practice. Even the most gifted athletes need practice, and often, those who aren’t as naturally athletic but are willing to put in the time at practice, those athletes consistently perform well come game time.

In my work at school, I often tell students and their families that the right kind of practice is a crucial key to improving as a reader, too.

A little over two years ago, I decided to take up violin. I expected it to be difficult -- and it is! It is not something that comes naturally to me. But I practice. I practice a lot and would practice more if I were home more. I can tell I definitely have improved, even though I still have a long way to go.

But my practicing took on a whole new level when my instructor asked me to play in a recital she was planning for all her students. Most of my violin playing is “enjoyed” only by myself, any of my family who happen to be home when I practice, and my instructor. I have played once or twice at church, but those pieces were fairly simple. The pieces for the recital were much more difficult. And so I had to step up on the practice. The more I played those pieces, the more comfortable I got with them.

I’m not going to say I wasn’t nervous when I played--because I was! But I made it through my pieces (although not perfectly) that day. And I’m guessing that if I do that again, it might be a little easier for me.

Last week, I studied the story of Rahab from Joshua 2. Rahab was a Canaanite woman who lived in the fortified city of Jericho. She had heard the stories of all the miraculous ways God had taken care of the Israelites, and she believed that God was going to deliver her city of Jericho into the Israelites’ hands.

Rahab hid two Israelite spies in her home and lied to her own king’s men when they came looking for the spies. And then, she asked the spies to spare her and her family when the day came for them to destroy Jericho.

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. (Joshua 2:8-9)

12 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign 13 that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” (Joshua 2:12-13)

It wasn’t enough for Rahab to simply believe that God was going to give the Israelites the victory. She acted on it. She put her faith into practice. She was in a very uncomfortable situation, betraying her own people and even risking her life.

And I think God does that with us today, too. I think He gives us uncomfortable situations and opportunities that require us to practice what we are learning from His word. I think that acting on our faith over and over again is a practice that makes us stronger and more useful in God’s kingdom. Each time we step out in faithful obedience, God proves Himself trustworthy, and that helps our faith to grow stronger so that the next time we are called to step out, it’s a little bit easier to do.

We know from Matthew’s genealogy that Rahab later married into the Israelite community and was one of the ancestors of King David, and of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). This story from Joshua 2 is just the beginning of her faith journey, even though we don’t know much more about her. But we do know she practiced her faith and was saved, and she was used by God. Because her story is recorded, she is still being used by God today.

I want to be like that. I want to step out in faith and practice what I believe. I know I often fail, but I know that God is still working, and each time I step out, I learn to trust Him more. I don’t know what God might be doing in your life right now, but I pray that you will also have the desire to be faithful - even if it is something small. May we all be found practicing our faith this week.

Heavenly Father, You are always faithful. You are able to take care of us, no matter what our situation may be. You are always working things for our good, and we can trust You. Help us to practice our faith in You. Help us to be like Rahab - to not only believe with our hearts and minds, but to act on those beliefs, too. Help us to be obedient when You call us to step out into uncomfortable situations so that we can honor You and bring You glory! Thank You for growing our faith!