Practice Makes Perfect

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

– 1 Corinthians 9:25

In his best-seller Outliers: The Story of Success, author Malcom Gladwell wrote that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert or master performer in a given field. Whether you’re a software developer, a rock star or a golfer, it takes that long to get to the top.

Other experts have criticized Gladwell’s assertions as an oversimplification of

what it takes to reach the summit. They point out that not all practice is the same. What’s more, some masterminds had advantages that their peers didn’t. Bill Gates, for instance, grew up in a wealthy home, and he had access to computers at private schools. Genetics, when you started, and how you practice all help determine how long (if ever) it takes to rise to the top. But with that in mind, the core principle is generally true: Practice makes perfect.

This observation is hardly new. The Bible, God’s word to us written centuries ago, also praises the value of training and discipline. As Christ-followers, we need to develop and use the gifts and talents God has given us to make a positive difference in our community and the world. For example, we’re called to explain the basis of our faith to anyone who asks us. But how can we answer questions from a neighbor or coworker if we don’t regularly set aside time to read and study the Bible and know what we’re talking about? This type of spiritual training is also a great way to grow closer to God by developing our ability to listen for his voice. And in turn, it helps us discern right from wrong when faced by those modern-day scenarios that are so rarely black or white. 

The thousands of hours that a successful marathon runner puts on the road should remind us of the critical need for endurance in our spiritual journey. The path we travel as Christ-followers is anything but straight, smooth and easy. Jesus tells us, “Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”

As we strive to be effective disciples of Jesus, let’s consider Bill Gates’ rise to the top in the world of personal computing and software. It was his dedicated, steadfast pursuit of the seemingly impossible that helped Microsoft become the multi-billion-dollar company that it is today. Likewise, it takes focused training, discipline and endurance to become the faith-driven, world-changing people God envisions us to be.