Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)
Whenever Ben Hogan was asked about the “secret” to his consistency on the golf course, he would answer, “The secret is in the dirt.” The reference was to Hogan’s countless hours spent on the range swinging the club, striking the golf ball, and moving dirt. The secret to consistency, it seems, is simple: It’s the discipline of daily practice.
The problem with the discipline required to be successful in any endeavor, golf or spiritual, is that of RESISTANCE. Anytime an achiever or believer sets out to accomplish something great, they are always met with the counter-force of resistance.
Resistance is anything or anyone that stops or redirects us from the discipline and work required TODAY to fulfill our destiny over a lifetime.
Where does resistance originate, and how does it work against us? Resistance originates from outside spiritual sources and is sinister, agitating the lesser aspects of our nature. Resistance presents as fear. Resistance lies to us. Resistance exposes our inadequacies and magnifies our insecurities. Resistance disrupts our daily disciplines. Resistance regularly partners with procrastination and avoidance.
Resistance loves comfort. Resistance is parasitic; it attaches itself to those who love God and are called according to His purposes. Resistance aims to derail the purpose-driven life, destroy the soul, and hurt all those who would benefit from a single individual’s life lived by great faith.
When we discover what we are called to do in this life, resistance will arrive in full force. If there is no resistance in your life, then you’ve yet to discover God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will for it.
The amount of resistance will always be proportional to the importance of the endeavor or mission. A high calling from God will meet with massive resistance because resistance always works to thwart the will of God.
In the Bible, those with the highest calling are met with the greatest resistance. Noah is endlessly mocked by the naysayers. Moses and the Jews are held by Pharaoh. King David is chased by Saul. Jonah is misled by his hard heart. Paul is challenged by endless hardships. Jesus is gripped by anguish. Had these not overcome resistance, their generation, and ultimately the world, would have been lost.
The secret is in the dirt. There is nothing romantic or glamorous about the dirt. The day-to-day work required of the faithful is often monotonous and unnoticed. But the faithful persevere. They pray daily for the lost and suffering. They love the hard-to-love. Serve the ungrateful. Give to those in need. Comfort the hurting. Pursue those who could care less. Sacrifice for the ungrateful. The secret is in the dirt. And so is the resistance. Consistency in the face of resistance is the saints’ secret.
Get out of bed, put your feet on the ground, look and listen for the Holy Spirit, and do the work TODAY. Be encouraged; you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Prayer: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6)