Welcome to Week 2 of 2016! So how are those New Year’s resolutions going? Yeah, same here. According to this recent Washington Post article, 1 in 4 of us has already given up!
Regardless of your success on those resolutions, we all struggle to lead a consistent life. And let’s face it – life is not consistent. I feel like I have so many days when something unexpected comes my way, and my plan for the day goes out the window. There’s obviously no consistency there, so why should consistency be expected of me?
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Talk about consistency! This certainly includes Jesus’ time on earth. As you read about his life, though, his yesterdays, todays and tomorrows were rarely the same. There were times of joy, but there were certainly days of sadness. He experienced disappointment, and yes, he sometimes got angry. So how can we say that Jesus was consistent?
The answer is found in one word – character. Jesus has always been and will always be of the same character. Regardless of the situation or the people around him, Jesus is unchanged.
In our house, we aim to teach our children by word and example that it is acceptable to feel all of life’s emotions. What is not acceptable is to use our emotions as an excuse to change our character. Here are a few quick examples:
Life throws at us all kinds of situations, and with them comes a variety of emotions. All along life’s up and down way, though, we can live with a consistent, Christ-like character. Your yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows will not always go as you plan or desire. But you can live consistently with integrity, justice, and love. Regardless of your yesterday, today or tomorrow, may God bless you and use you to be a blessing.
Regardless of your success on those resolutions, we all struggle to lead a consistent life. And let’s face it – life is not consistent. I feel like I have so many days when something unexpected comes my way, and my plan for the day goes out the window. There’s obviously no consistency there, so why should consistency be expected of me?
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Talk about consistency! This certainly includes Jesus’ time on earth. As you read about his life, though, his yesterdays, todays and tomorrows were rarely the same. There were times of joy, but there were certainly days of sadness. He experienced disappointment, and yes, he sometimes got angry. So how can we say that Jesus was consistent?
The answer is found in one word – character. Jesus has always been and will always be of the same character. Regardless of the situation or the people around him, Jesus is unchanged.
In our house, we aim to teach our children by word and example that it is acceptable to feel all of life’s emotions. What is not acceptable is to use our emotions as an excuse to change our character. Here are a few quick examples:
- It is okay to be sad. It is not okay to sulk.
- It is okay to be happy. It is not okay to gloat.
- It is okay to be angry. It is not okay to throw a temper tantrum.
Life throws at us all kinds of situations, and with them comes a variety of emotions. All along life’s up and down way, though, we can live with a consistent, Christ-like character. Your yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows will not always go as you plan or desire. But you can live consistently with integrity, justice, and love. Regardless of your yesterday, today or tomorrow, may God bless you and use you to be a blessing.
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