Preparation is Critical for Success

I sit in the stands watching my stellar daughter play the game she loves.  Thoughts of basketball consume her mind 24/7.  If she is not playing, she is watching or preparing for the game.  She could run the game on her own; yet, she chooses to listen to the coach. 

For my daughter, she has 11 years practice in listening to her coach.  From birth she has heard his voice, felt his protection and ran to him in times of need.  Fast forward to now, she continues to listen for his voice on the court, seek his protection when games get a bit rough and run to him when a game plan is needed. 

I enjoy watching the two communicate and work together almost as much as I enjoy watching my daughter dominate on the court.  Yes, I am a bit bias. . .but, she is great out there on the court.  She displays leadership, encouragement to all players and excellent teamwork. 

During practices, her coach teaches plays to prepare the team for the game.  This preparation is critical for success.  Without preparation, the team would run around on the court aimlessly, void of any direction or plan.

There is another voice my daughter has trained to hear in life.  Her ears hear the voice of her Father guiding each step.  She cares for others, lights up any room she enters and loves as God intends.  She is prime example of how to shine His Light in this world.

It takes preparation off the court and implementation of the learning while in the game.  Life requires preparation prior to stepping out in the day.  Implementing the Truth carries out the plan God has for each of our lives.  Surrendering our lives, believing the Truth provided and confessing our faith starts the process of implementation.

God speaks from birth into our lives.  God protects His Children.  God holds His arms open wide for us to run in times of need.  God is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.   

God communicates in ways that we hear while facing this life.  He works through us to speak Truth to the lost and the hurting.  He uses us to lead others to Him.  This life requires teamwork with God to defeat the enemy.  He asks us to encourage one another, work together to build His Kingdom and lead others by example.

How do we prepare for such difficult work?

Read His Truth.  Sit in His presence.  Invite Him into every moment.  He desires to walk along with us in this life.  He is right there, speaking to us with every moment we face.  Listen for His voice.  Obey His guidance.  Appreciate the blessings He provides in your life.  He will do more than we can ever imagine. 

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:16-21

I love watching my daughter in this life.  She provides prime example of leadership, encouragement and teamwork. . .all in His name.  She does this on and off the court.  I pray she stands strong in this world and does not conform to the world’s patterns.  I pray you stand strong my friends in this world as well. 

  

   

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig