1 Minute Daily Devotions
January 27, 2012
As You Practice, So You Play the Game
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Football coaches have a saying about preparing for the big game. As you practice, so you play. It works the same way in our spiritual lives. Regular time alone with God is how we practice staying close to God each day. And, certainly, if we’re going to have meaningful, weekly worship with other believers, it’s always more meaningful when we’ve spent time alone with God.
Have you ever been to a worship service that just seemed to fall flat? Maybe you thought your pastor let you down and gave a sermon that was just plain boring! Or maybe the music didn't connect or wasn't the style you were in the mood for that day. Some days things just don't connect and you think, Well, there's an hour of my life I'll never get back.
I guess that sometimes we do fall short, but maybe it's a just little too easy to blame the worship leaders for a flat experience. When a weekly service disappoints, it might be because you haven't been in practice all week. As you practice, so you play the game. You’ll be amazed how much anticipation there is for weekly worship if you have regular time alone with God.
Comments on this Devotion
From RickY on Jan 27th:
Good point as far as those in the pews.
It goes for worship leaders, too. Our choir director tells us to practice with our game face on. We need to be in worship during rehearsal, because if we're too focused on the notes and getting everything right, that's how we'll be on Sunday mornings.
From Grant on Jan 27th:
I used to think that the congregation was like an audience. Then, I learned what worship was really about and realized that I had it very much backwards.