Last November, I began a journey of writing Scripture each day. I used an online plan each month to write sections of Scripture for the day. Some took longer than others, but they averaged 10 minutes of writing per day.

The problem was cohesiveness. One day I might be in Peter and the next in Joshua. Each day was in a different location in Scripture and so I decided in May that I would start my own plan. Now I stick to one book and write until it is complete.

I must admit, prior to November 2015, my handwriting was rough. Not only was my handwriting illegible at times, but the muscles in my hand would not allow me to write for longer than 10 minutes. At that point, my hand would cramp and was pretty sore.

But now, I must say, my handwriting is much nicer and I find I can write for nearly an hour without any difficulty (yes, I sometimes write that long in one sitting). I actually like my handwriting!

Here’s the thing. While I enjoy writing God’s Word and allowing His thoughts to penetrate my mind and heart, I have fallen in love with handwriting. It has become my new favorite past time. And my goal is to have the entire Bible written in my own handwriting before I leave this world.

But I do have one problem. Consistency. Consistency with my actual handwriting. For instance, I’m in the process of getting out baby shower invitations. I have had to split up addressing the envelopes over several days. The first batch are pretty awesome…today’s were so-so. I’m using the same pen. I’m in the same location. Everything is exactly the same as the last time I sat to do this task, but the handwriting isn’t. You can insert a big sigh right here.

Guess what? I find this same inconsistency in my spiritual life. One day I’m doing well, the next, I blow it. God loves me. I am covered by His grace. Nothing has changed, except me.

I’m reminded of Paul’s (confusing) words in Romans 7:15-20 (NIV) and I understand exactly where Paul is coming from. See if you don’t agree. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”

Phew! Clear as a bell, right? Here’s the thing. I want to do what is right all the time, but my sinful nature gets in the way. The things I want to do are sideswiped by the things I definitely don’t want to do, but do.

It’s no wonder Paul, and I find ourselves saying, “What a wretched (wo)man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24 – NIV) If left to live in this sinful world on our own, this is the state in which we remain. Wretched people who don’t do what we should.

But “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25 – NIV) that He has made a way for us to get out of this rut and live more closely aligned with God’s Word. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 – NIV)

Each moment I have a choice. Will I allow my sinful nature to overtake my desire to live more like Christ? Each moment I pray that I will not allow it to be so. But when I’m a little off, I am able to return to my heavenly Father and thank Him for the grace He has poured over me.

Today, my handwriting may be off a bit, but tomorrow is another day and I will get right back to writing Scripture and addressing envelopes. How much more thankful I am that I’m able to do the same thing with my spiritual life.

I’ll close with another passage from our biblical friend, Paul. This was part of my writing today and what a beautiful reminder for each of us. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14 – NIV)

Keep pressing on. Don’t look back. Strain toward what is ahead. The prize is waiting. Don’t give up!

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna