“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
Hebrews 5:14

I once read that it takes 10, 000 hours of practice before you can become a master of something. In many ways we spend our lives in practice of what it is we are trying to do. Athletes pursue the goals they are trying to achieve through hour upon hour of practice. When we see a professional sports star performing at a high level they are demonstrating the result of the trials they have put their bodies through. The same can be said if we listen to a talented musician or artist we witness the result of the training that has taken place over time.
Sadly, I have seen so many people do very little in dedicating time and practice to their faith. Even if someone were to go to church 3 hours a week every week of their life, it would take almost 65 years to reach 10, 000 hours. We know that being at church does not guarantee that we are focused and engaging with God simply because we are present in body.
Now, I don’t want anyone to think that I am saying that there is a specific number of hours of devotion that are required in order to be saved. What I am trying to say is that developing our faith takes time. God wants us to practice our faith. We take for granted the longing that God’s Spirit has to “fan into flame” its purpose in our hearts (2 Tim 1:6). As believers we need to patiently apply ourselves to seeking God more everyday. We will make mistakes and fall short, but even in failure God wants us to learn the path of redemption. Jesus has made a way for us to overcome the things that we often settle for defeat.
I have come to learn the joy of salvation in my own life as God has helped me towards needed change. He promises to be with us through the trials. He teaches us that loving God and our neighbor is something worth practicing. It starts with that first step. Why not begin today?