Let’s take a brief trip back to your kindergarten days for a second. Do you remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? Remember how the hare raced the tortoise and got so far ahead that he got apathetic? What did the tortoise do? He was slow and steady. He was consistent in his pursuit of the finish line. Ultimately, the tortoise won the race and won bragging rights (am I the only one who always pictures a turtle with glasses on?!).
That little story has a nugget of true wisdom in it. You see, consistency counts no matter what we’re doing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not saying you have to live a boring life free of changed plans or whimsical fun. I’m not saying you have to have every hour of your life planned out. That will drive you crazy. What I am saying is that consistency matters a lot to your present an your future.
The more I read scripture, the more I’m convinced that God values those that are faithful, those that are consistent. It’s a test of our personality but also of our faith. You see, it doesn’t take much to do something for a little while, the people that are called faithful are the ones that do it over and over. The people that make an impact on the world around them are the people that show up consistently.
In our world of fast food and faster communication, it’s easy for us to forget that real change and progress happens when we consistently work at something.
That promotion comes when you’re consistent with your current work.
That vision becomes a reality when you’re consistent in chasing it.
That relationship grows when you consistently work at it.
That savings account grows when you consistently put money aside.
and yes,
That tortoise can beat the hare when he’s consistent in his chase of victory.
This is part two of a 5-part blog series for young leaders. To read the full series:
Part One
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Jonathan Pearson is a Pastor at Cornerstone Community Church. He is author of Next Up: 8 Shifts Great Young Leaders Make.
To read more about shifts great young leaders make, pick up Jonathan Pearson’s book here.
