Consistent With Intent

"Good morning, Daddy, and Happy New Year," I said, stretching and yawning. It was twenty minutes past ten—later than usual, but understandable after a late New Year's Eve. After the Watch Night service, I went to IHOP with friends. Barefoot, I gathered myself and walked across the squeaking foyer to the great room. Pulling out my yoga mat and bands, I began to prep for a morning workout. My body was tired, but I was determined to get through the next 30 minutes, no matter what. I gave myself my word: I would devote at least thirty minutes to sweating at home. Panting from the burn in my abdomen, I pep-talked myself out loud: "Keep going, keep going. Push through the burn, Pam." After my last rep of ab toe touches, I exhaled in relief and collapsed flat onto my back. While catching my breath and staring up at the spider web stretched across the ceiling light, I reflected on the theme of commitment—my promise to show up, even when it's hard. This wasn't just about exercise. It reminded me of an even earlier, deeper commitment that started several years earlier: my relationship with The Father.

In 2020, a personal crisis led me to meet with the Father consistently. This daily commitment—and the joy I found in His presence—became the foundation for all my other commitments. That joy washed away my worries and fueled my devotion. Each day, as I sought Him, I was stirred within; my mind calmed, and I grew stronger and more courageous. Through perseverance and expectation, I learned the true meaning of relationships and set the tone for others through my steadfastness.

Soon thereafter, I made other commitments: showing up daily for myself, being a present mother, a loving caregiver in my classroom, being more consistent in the gym, being a good steward of what I have, and being a good friend. Each grew from that first devotion and was anchored in the intention to show up, even when it's challenging.

I know many of you reading this have set self-goals for this year. Often, we intend to be committed but don't know how to be consistent. We often hear life coaches and leaders tell us to be "consistent," but rarely explain how. Friend, I encourage you, on this still January morning as I’m typing this blog post—though it won’t be posted until March—to aim to show up daily simply just. Be consistent about showing up daily. Don’t give in to your feelings or circumstances. Just as you do at your job. Day in and day out, you show up at your work address, your cubicle, classroom, or designated place of employment. You arrive tired, sometimes agitated, with numerous tabs open in your head, but you still show up. You do this because you're committed to the job. You don't give in to life’s lemons or your emotional state. You are committed to doing the work, making a difference, and achieving results. You don't keep count of the long hours (well, I pray you don't) or the passing days, because you're committed. You’re in it for the long haul. Before you know it, months have passed—one year, two years. You're being promoted and acknowledged for your work. You’re a veteran. How much more, if you were devoted to seeking the face of the Father just as diligently and zealously? How much more if you kept your word to yourself by being consistent for the next three months? Can you, for a moment, imagine the results that will come from such commitment?

The greatest investment of commitment I’ve made in this short life of mine is investing in the presence of the LORD. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord." (Psalm 27:4) That has been my heart's decree for years. As I embark upon 2026, I will continue to see that seed prosper in more ways than one, and my heart's prayer is that you, my friend, will first sow a seed of consistency in the secret place with The Father and reap a harvest there after.

Pushing myself off the floor, gathering my exercise equipment, I couldn’t help but smile. Another commitment had taken root from one life-changing decision made several years ago, committing to The Father.

Jesus Is Just That Good,

Pamelia Walker