The lines in the old man's face softened as he listened to the young student play, small fingers sweeping gracefully across the black and white keys of the grand piano. You might even dare to call the slight movement around his lips a smile, hinting at the deep pleasure the pianist felt at hearing the notes played right.
"My lad, you play differently this week, with emotion, like you feel the piece. What brought this change?"
The young student blushed. "I did my daily practise this week."
Having played music my whole life I know firsthand the difference practise, more so consistent, daily practise, can make. When I was in my early teens I got into bass playing in a big way and started to play and practice several hours or more a day, going over scales, arpeggios, fingering techniques and music theory.
That daily practise made a massive difference. One teacher said that any element you want to commit to memory, play it daily for fifteen days and it'll be set for life. I wouldn't take it as a blanket statement, but these days I practise hardly anywhere near as much but still reap the rewards of the foundation I laid long ago.
Consistency
It is interesting how consistency can make such a big difference. Any music teacher will tell you that playing 20 minutes daily will yield far better results than a weekly three hour session.
And this principle applies to more than just music. From lifting weights to eating better, consistent routines will produce far better results than erratic one-off power sessions.
A kale smoothie with a bowl of spinach might tick off your health goals for the month, but the reality is after all the pain it takes to chew that green stuff down, the difference won't be noticeable unless you make it a consistent thing. I'm no health guru though, so consult an expert before adding spinach to the dinner menu!
But seriously, consistency is hard to do. It is easy to get fired up after watching something motivational and then blaze out in a matter of hours. Keeping those coals red hot takes a lot of grit and determination. There is a lot of forcing myself into keeping on with the program even when I really don't feel like it.
A one-off guzzle just won't cut it
My Christian walk is no different. Ever been to a conference with lots of energy, great fellowship and inspiring talks? I've been to my fair share, and I always head home feeling rejuvenated, revived and ready to step up my spiritual journey to the next level. But then Monday hits, life gets in the way and the fervour cools off.
But if I want to see real progress in my Christian walk I need to be consistent, because one-off conferences, and even weekly Sunday church won't build the habits or produce the results that I'm aspiring towards. Living a life devoted to God in a world that is definitely not, takes discipline, grit and perseverance.
To counteract the constant heat of the world, there has to be consistent intake of the rejuvenating water of life. A guzzle of water on Sunday won't mean anything several days on in the middle of a desert. I need to be steadfast in my drinking.
1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 58: 'Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.'
Think about that last bit: 'in the Lord your labour is not in vain.' I can easily replace the word labour with practise. When my practise is steadfast, immovable and abundant, my efforts won't be ineffective, there will be results.
If you practise your piano lessons daily no doubt you'll bring a smile to your teachers face. When I practise being Godly, I'm looking forward to seeing God smile.
Thomas Devenish lives in Hobart, Tasmania. He works as a motion designer and enjoys the diverse experiences life has to offer, from wake-boarding to curling up with a good book on a rainy day.
Thomas Devenish's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/thomas-devenish.html