Lather, rinse, repeat – familiar words often found on a shampoo bottle. I remember hearing them used humorously in a TV show we were watching and they just sort of stuck.
I rather see it as representing trying something – be it making or breaking a habit, taking on a new job, or some such, seeing the impact it has, and then adjusting and trying again. Not rocket science, but taking action vs inaction.
Taking Action
Taking action is so important in life. I really think that there are a lot of forces and efforts to slow us down and discourage progress. Indecisiveness and doubts typically question everything that would allow us to move ahead.
But God’s Word says that when we commit our ways to Him, He will establish our steps. To me, that says when we surrender our own desires and wholeheartedly lean into following His leads, He directs us every step of the way. Not that we won’t face opposition or have doubts, but that we will need to reaffirm our commitment to looking to God and disregarding the doubts that pop into our head.
I think action concerns the enemy. God has given His people incredible power and capability to accomplish His work, and the enemy seeks to discourage. If the enemy can confuse and discourage, then we won’t accomplish all that we might for God. And I believe that is why prayer-based action is so important. Putting one foot in front of the other even when we don’t have all the answers or know the whole path.
Faith and courage are best developed under pressure, much like muscles are best developed when doing a difficult workout. Not because it’s easy, but because we can serve God in more and more ways when we bravely step forward.
For Our Good
Opposition is no fun, but do you know a perk of it? It is yet another tool that God uses for our good. He uses it to direct us, to challenge us and to fuel us.
I’ve mentioned it before, but there’s this quote that I’ve recently read and it fuels me when I’m tired: “The world is against me, otherwise it wouldn’t be fair.” This quote doesn’t call out our own power and strength, but rather the power and strength we have access to through God alone. As long as we follow God’s lead, He will fuel and empower us as no other can.
It is said that we will never actually reach our limits if we wholeheartedly pursue God. Courage begets more courage, faith more faith, wisdom more wisdom. And God is limitless. When we really lean into God and His word and give Him our all – every single area of our life – everything that comes from it will be for our good. The trials are to make us stronger, the victories encourage us and keep us pressing on, the hard times equip us for harder times ahead.
Go and Do Likewise
Do you remember when Christ told the story of the Good Samaritan and asked out of the men who saw the beaten man in the road, which was a neighbor to that man? The one who had mercy and took care of him was the response. Go and do likewise was Christ’s motivation to the response.
Go and do likewise is the “repeat” part of lather, rinse, repeat. Lather is taking action, rinse is the realizing that consequences for the actions we have taken is for our good. And repeat, is pressing on, evaluating the consequences, making adjustments, and taking action yet again.
I read an interesting thing, and it is that troubles and trials in this life are because God trusts us. If our lives were trouble free, we would have reason to worry that God did not trust us. In Psalms, there is even a verse asking God, “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.” Oh that we would let the trials of life strengthen our courage and resolve to better serve God!
He always makes a way for us when we seek Him, He directs our steps when we surrender our all. The more we lean into Him, the more He will help us become what we were created to be! There is no limit to what He might accomplish through us if we will be our best for Him!
Lather, Rinse, Repeat
Lather: continually ask God what He would have you do. Take courage and take action!
Rinse: remember consequences for actions are for our good. They help steer and direct us.
Repeat: evaluate, adjust, and press on!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2020/04/29/did-you-ask/