Rituals

Ready:

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” -- Mark 1:35 NLT

Set:

Successful athletes and coaches set pre-competition rituals — listening to music or eating food — that they do before a practice or game. They prepare their bodies, minds and hearts to give their all to be the BEST they can be.

Similarly, great leaders like Jesus have daily rituals or habits they do to ensure that they have the BEST day they can have to honor the Lord with their lives. One of Jesus’ daily rituals is prayer. He got up early before the sun rose so that He could talk with His Father intimately and without any distractions. He shared his concerns and burdens; He shared his excitement and opportunities for the day, but He also listened for God’s voice and His will.

When you think about everything you do from when you roll out of bed to when you begin your day, are you setting yourself up for a successful day? I encourage you to evaluate your personal daily routines so that you set yourself up to have the best day possible. When I look at everything I do before I get to work, I have more than a two-hour morning routine. There are many things I do during that time, but prayer, reading the Word and exercising are non-negotiable for me. As competitors, it’s important to strive for the best so that we win games and become better players. As Christians, it’s even more important to strive to be the best Christian and to have the best relationship with God that we can.

Beginning and ending our day with God is the prime way we can ensure that we are setting ourselves up for success. 

Go:

1. What are your pre-competition rituals?
2. Specifically, what does your morning routine look like minute by minute before you get to school or work?
3. What is one change you want to make this week?

Workout:

1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 4:13

Overtime:

“Lord, we have one life and a desire to honor You minute by minute, show us how to do that. We love You. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

Mark Stephens