Breakthrough to Purpose

I am the urban evangelist and I have another layer of myself to peel off this morning.

For a long time, I wrestled with the discipline of showing up consistently, especially with the Truth Tea devotion every Sunday. There were times when it felt like I was pouring my heart into something that was going nowhere. I’d see numbers drop, and doubts would creep in. I questioned if I had misunderstood God’s calling or if He wanted me to continue at all. It’s challenging to press on when the visible signs don’t line up, when the “fruit” seems sparse. Was I truly meant to do this?

In those moments of doubt, I realized it’s not about the visible results or fleeting motivation—it’s about a deeper conviction. This calling requires me to show up with faithfulness, even when I see little to no immediate outcome.

Motivation may come and go, but conviction endures. True consistency, the kind that withstands doubts and delays, is rooted in a sense of purpose that goes beyond momentary highs. The prophet Daniel displayed this kind of conviction. When a decree made his daily prayers illegal, he kept praying three times a day, despite the threat of lions waiting on the other side of his obedience (Daniel 6:10). Daniel’s commitment was born from a clear understanding of who he was and, more importantly, whose he was. That identity sustained him.

Sometimes, we feel trapped by past starts and stops. It’s easy to think, “If I couldn’t follow through before, why would this time be any different?” But your past inconsistency does not define your potential. Imagine a steady drip of water eventually wearing down the hardest rock. It’s not the force of each drop that matters; it’s the consistency. God uses each faithful act to build resilience and strength in us, and He honors those small, steady steps.

This reminds me of the Chinese bamboo tree. For four years, the farmer waters and tends to the ground without seeing a single sprout. Then, in the fifth year, the bamboo shoots up 90 feet in just six weeks. Those hidden years were not wasted; they were foundational, building roots strong enough to support rapid growth. You might feel as though you’re in those hidden years, wondering if anything is happening beneath the surface. Trust God. He is building something deep within you that will support what’s to come.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Through prayer, I’ve come to understand that inconsistency often stems from self-protection rather than a lack of discipline. We avoid stepping fully into God’s purpose because it exposes us to potential failure, criticism, or even success. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness not because of poor navigation but because they were more comfortable in the familiar discomfort of wandering than facing the unknown battles in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 2:1-3). True consistency means confronting fears that our comfort zones allow us to ignore.

“God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

So, how do we break free and embrace consistency? Start small, even if it feels insignificant. Real growth doesn’t require grand gestures; it comes from small, daily faithfulness. Pray for God’s guidance in identifying any fears or insecurities holding you back. Trust that even in seasons of silence, God is at work. Faith means being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

It’s time to step out of the prison of inconsistency. Like Daniel, show up with conviction, rooted in the confidence of who you are in Christ. Let’s stop waiting for motivation and instead ask for the courage to pursue God’s purpose, one obedient step at a time.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” — Colossians 3:23

Let today be the day we choose to press forward, trusting the Author of our story. We may have a history of starts and stops, but our future can be one of steady progress with the One who calls us His own. Keep showing up, and watch what God will do.