Did You Cross The Line?
Have you ever felt like you crossed a line and pushed a kid too hard to come to camp?
It often starts with an innocent desire for your friend to experience the best week of their life. But if we’re not careful, it can easily become more about us than about them.
It’s a slight but significant difference between being persistent and being consistent.
CONSISTENT
—-crossing the line—-
PERSISTENT
Being persistent is often about you.
Being consistent is often about them.
Persistence can feel pestering.
But consistently showing up on their turf, with no strings attached, simply conveys that you care.
Persistence puts a target on their back.
Consistency puts an invitation in their hand.
Persistence communicates selfish suspicion.
Consistency communicates generosity.
Persistence says “my deepest joy is winning you over.”
Consistency says “my deepest joy is being with you.”
And it even plays out when it comes to prayer…
Persistence can sound more like “my will be done…here’s my list of things I need you to do, God.”
Consistency says “Thy will be done…here’s my heart, make my desires the same as yours, God.”
And 2,000 years ago…
Persistence looked a lot like a zealous Pharisee (Mark 7) caring more about power than people.
Meanwhile, consistency looked a lot like an unassuming carpenter who kept showing up, feeding the hungry, healing the broken, and gently inviting some teenage ruffians to come and see. (John 1:35-51)
There’s power in consistency.
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Read more from Drew Hill in his book for Young Life leaders: “Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel.”
Related articles:
Seth Godin (HT to Seth for this concept.)
