And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:40-43
The Bowes Museum in England is home to a unique creation known as the Silver Swan. This life-size mechanical clockwork swan was made in 1773 by John Merlin and James Cox. When it is wound, the music box bells play tunes from the eighteenth century and the swan moves. Mark Twain saw it on display in Paris in 1867 and recounted the experience in his book The Innocents Abroad, saying the swan, “had a living grace about his movement and a living intelligence in his eyes.” For years the swan was displayed daily. But when the Bowes Museum reopened after being closed during the COVID pandemic, they found that the swan no longer worked. After sitting idle for so long the gears had frozen, and a delicate restoration process was required before the nearly 250 year old creation would again work as it was designed and intended.
The Christian life may have dramatic moments, but it is in the routine, continuing, daily, repeated work of following Jesus that success and victory are found. If we decide to sit back and coast, it will not be long before we are unable to function as we should. We need constant intake of the Word of God, both personally and corporately. We need constant teaching and training in what is right. We need to be constantly using our spiritual muscles, not just on Sundays but every day so that we will be strong Christians. “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14).
