Not so long ago, in a Bible school classroom not so very far away as I was teaching Expository Preaching to a group of 14 pastors:
One of the students, aware of my most recent physical issues decided to give me some free medical advice during the break.
"You know missionary, I can tell you what the problem is." Less than convinced, I asked half-heartedly, "what's that my friend?"
The answer surprised me. In the past 2 years I've seen some of the best specialists in the United States. Their evaluations have ranged from systemic yeast infection, parasites, immune system dysfunctions, vitamins and mineral deficiencies, etc..
The pastor turned medical professional shared his advice: "Calcium deficiency."
"Sorry?" I asked. "You know....dairy products! It's the key!" His voice was enthusiastic and full of passion.
"Really?" I asked somewhat amused. "Oh yes! You must eat lots of cheese, white cheeses, yellow cheeses, soft cheeses, hard cheeses, and of course, drink plenty of milk in the morning, hot chocolate, etc... and don't forget to drink your yoghurt. The key is to be CONSISTENT." He then proceeded to tell me story after story of people that he knew who had been chronically ill, only to miraculously recover after implementing the dairy diet with consistency.
As we parted ways, I thought to myself- "how random. Why dairy? Why so passionate?"
Several weeks later the mystery was solved for me. At dinner my friend Nate Lashway explained that during the socialistic days of Madagascar medical professionals were all instructed to give the same advice to the ill: "Calcium deficiency."
If you had malaria, take calcium supplements. If you were afflicted with high blood pressure, there was one sure cure: calcium. Diabetes? Yep, you guessed it- calcium. Chronic fatigue anyone? Load up on the calcium. Heart trouble? Calcium. Stomach trouble? Calcium.
The light came on. My dear pastor friend was merely speaking the conventional wisdom of the society he grew up in. He had heard the calcium deficiency routine for so long that he know believed it and espoused it whole-heartedly. "Missionary you need a consistent source of calcium in your diet." The best way to do that is of course to increase your dairy intake. He was merely being a good spokesman and representative of decades of consistent Malagasy medical advice. He had become a Calcium Convert and naturally wished to make me one too.
As I thought about this humorous incident, especially for someone who battles dairy intolerance, I thought about this idea of being consistent.
Someone once asked the question: "what is the most powerful kind of prayer?" The answer: "consistent prayer." What is the best kind of Bible reading? Consistent Bible reading. I love it when the Lord's presence is so near and sweet in my personal devotional times. I thoroughly enjoy studying the scriptures when it seems alive and vibrant. However, whether I "feel" the Lord present or not- consistency remains the key to maturity. Aristotle is quoted as saying: "we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Consistency in our walk with the Lord produces the same results. It is based on two simple ingredients: the word and prayer.
Feeling some fear? Let the word give you courage. Feeling lonely? consistent communication with heaven will help drastically. Facing challenges? Seek heavenly direction. Overwhelmed? His peace is still available. Decisions? His word and His presence produce wisdom in us. Weary spiritually? consistent times in his presence will renew you. When I'm stressed, anxious, worried, uncertain, or fearful there is usually at least one major reason behind it: I haven't been consistent with the Lord.
Too simple you say? Could it be time for some consistency in your spiritual diet?
