I have a relatively new retainer. I haven’t had a retainer in over five years because I broke my last one. My teeth look like I haven’t been wearing a retainer at night too. The gap that closed when I had braces in my early twenties reappeared. So in my effort to be strikingly beautiful on my wedding day, I saw an orthodontist to have another retainer made. Since my teeth shifted so much I have to wear it everyday for three months to keep my teeth in place then I only have to wear it at night. If I go one day and night without my retainer, my teeth will start to shift again.

This issue I’m having with my shifting teeth caused me to think about consistency. If I’m not consistent in wearing my retainer, then I will not see the results I want to see. I also started seeing a trainer, and he shared with me that I could transform my body in the next six months if I’m consistent. Again, consistency is the key.

I believe it’s the same in our walks with Jesus. If we are not consistent in prayer, reflection, meditation, worship, service and reading the word, then we’re going to shift. Our concerns will shift. Our focus will shift. Our allegiance will shift. Our lives will start to shift outside of God’s will. Many of us want to see results in our spiritual lives. We want joy, peace, healing, longsuffering and self-control, but we’re not consistent in the spiritual disciplines needed to receive those things.

John 15:4-5 says, “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing” (NRSV). If you see that your life’s been shifting to places that are out of alignment with God, maybe it’s because you haven’t been consistent in your relationship with Him. During the last few days of Holy Week, make it your priority to get back in alignment with God. When you do and you’re consistent, you’ll see the results you want in your life.