As an athlete you understand seasons, right? You have preseason, postseason, offseason and most importantly, THE season. But is the actual season you compete in really the most important? Sure, it may be the time where your performance is most visible and your reward the greatest, but is it really the most important? I challenge you to consider that your outcomes (failures and successes) from the season are a byproduct of your offseason attitude, preparation and results.
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Are you ready to work? (Preparation)
So now that we are thinking of seasons, lets apply that to our walk with God. As in our given sport, many of us are mislead to believe that we are good enough to “be ready” only “in season.” But we know, down deep and often times reluctantly, that this isn’t true. Its our offseason efforts — the two-a-days, the 6:00 a.m. runs, the endless conditioning — that prepare us for the season. In other words, we aim to “be ready” whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. It has to purposeful, meaningful, and intentional. Much like the proof of our hard, offseason training reveals itself through our in-season performances, the proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best regardless of what season of life we are in and whether we feel inspired or not.
Are you ready to be rewarded? (Attitude)
One of the worst traps we can fall into is to become obsessed with our own exceptional moments. Can’t visualize that? Watch Leon Lett in the Super Bowl XXVII … was he obsessed with his own exception moment? How’d that work out for him?
Whether its a performance on the court or field, or an inspiration or insight from the Spirit of God in something you are struggling with … don’t be obsessed with your own exceptional moments. They do not belong to you, they are a gift from God and you are not capable of giving them to yourself when you choose. That is the basis of our dependence on God.
At the end of the day who really deserves the glory, you or God? If we continue to make a god out of our best moments, we will find that God will fade out of our life, never to return until we are ready to acknowledge our need for Him and be obedient in the work He has placed in front of us. And most importantly, until we have learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given us.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Above all else — all trophies, scholarships, awards and accolades — you were put on this earth for a much higher calling then any you may experience on the field of play. The gift of sport, given to you by God, is temporary and fleeting. But His love is everlasting and His ultimate call on your life is to live and love like Jesus did. So always keep your eyes on the “real” prize!
My Prayer
Father, humble me. Help me to appreciate, but not worship, the exceptional moments that you have given me. Forgive me when I become focused only on myself and start to obsess over these moments — help me to give you all the glory by pointing to you when credit or praise is heaped onto me. I do love experiencing these moments, they make me feel important, appreciated and rewarded for the hard work and effort that I put into my craft — but constantly remind me that these exceptional moments reaffirm my developing relationship with you and your growing trust in me. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for trusting me. I love you.
Portions of this devotion were inspired by the daily devotions of My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers. Learn more about Oswald Chambers and get his daily devotions at https://utmost.org/