Practice

I was talking to some friends the other day about the typical guy topic – sports.  It’s football and hockey season so there’s always lots to talk about.  You know, real life changing and extremely critical discussions. We were talking about players and games, and all that goes along with sports debates.  It got me thinking of some of the great athletes that didn’t live up to the hype or missed the mark of where they could have been.

I thought of an interview I watched with Michael Vick.  Pure Quarterback talent, a truly gifted athlete.  He had some issues though that cost him his career and even earned him almost 2 years behind bars.  What I remember about that interview though was how he talked about early on in his NFL career he relied solely on his talent.  He said he didn’t study the playbook or put much effort into practice because he knew that on gameday he could outrun, out throw and out do just about everyone else on the field.

Made me consider all the times and places I’ve relied solely on my “talent.”  Things that I am OK at like work, being a parent or husband or even a Christian and sometimes I have been guilty of exactly what Mike did, I didn’t put in 100% simply because I could get by with 80%.

As much as we criticize athletes for not giving it their all, we are all guilty of the same.  What about you?  Where, if you are honest, do you find yourself “mailing it in?”  Relying on just “talent” and not putting in the “practice” time and effort to do or be our absolute best.

Think of what we could all do or the roadblocks we can avoid by just putting in the work – the practice. More focus on our kids, spouses or jobs.  More attention to detail in our spiritual life, asking God’s help in the roles we find ourselves in instead of just what we have in the tank.

“Practice” is hard.  I hate getting up early, but I know that’s my best time to practice my devotions for the day.  It’s easier to lose my temper or hold a grudge than to “practice” patience. But the great ones do just that.  The Athletes in the gym or on the field for hours.  The great men and women used by God like Billy Graham who studied and prayed for hours before speaking.

Don’t lose sight though.  “Practice” is important, but it’s not the total solution.  You see Zechariah 4:6 reminds us “. . . not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.” So, practice – it helps but only through the power of Him do we accomplish all we can.

Practice – Important! But not all in our strength. Find where you need the practice and put in the work.