Lent

Episode 100

“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” (Luke 16:10 NRSV)

Today’s devotional was written by Dr. Dwight Dockery and read by Donn King.

When I was at East Carolina University, there was a particular practice room with a poster on the wall that read, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.” In the technical skill of music, as with other disciplines and activities, merely going through the motions of practicing doesn’t actually improve one’s abilities; instead, it must be intentional practice that reflects the intended end goal in order to achieve the results for which we wish.

Or, put more simply, practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. And said another way, conductors like me often tell our ensembles, “You will perform the way you rehearse.” 

That’s what I think this scripture is getting at. So often, we allow ourselves those moments that we think don’t really matter in which we aren’t the best versions of ourselves. We tell the little white lie; we break a traffic rule when no one is around; we do whatever the thing is that we think doesn’t matter because who does it really hurt, anyway.

The trouble is that what we do when no one else is around does matter. A famous quote by basketball coach John Wooden says, “The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.” Those little decisions we make lead us toward bigger decisions of character, and those bigger decisions of character ultimately reflect who we are. That’s tough. I know I struggle with those little moments, but my prayer is that God helps guide me toward better choices so that in all moments—large and small—I can be a person I am proud to be.

Let us pray.

Lord, teach us to be faithful in the little things as well as the big things, to be our best and do our best in moments large and small, that we may bring glory and honor to you in all things.  Amen.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.