‘…Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.’ 1 Timothy 4:15 NLT
The average person in any line of work could double their productive capacity if they began right now to practice all the things they know they should do, and stopped practicing all the things they know they shouldn’t do. Now, success doesn’t come just by practice; you must practice right and do the right things. Dr. John Maxwell gives us some pillars of practice we should incorporate into our daily lives in order to succeed: (1) A good coach. Did you hear about the guy who entered his mule into the Melbourne Cup? ‘He’ll never win,’ a friend said. ‘I know,’ he replied, ‘but we only learn and grow by association.’ You need to get around the right people. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-9) (2) Your best effort. Are you practicing in a way, a time and a place that allow you to give your best? Are you giving yourself incentives? Paul’s motivation was: ‘a crown is being held for me.’ (2 Timothy 4:8 NCV) (3) A clear purpose. Be certain about what you’re trying to accomplish. Effort without knowledge is like speed without direction. Paul’s objective was to ‘…complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…’ (Acts 20:24 NIV) (4) The right resources. Paul challenges Timothy to become a reader (1 Timothy 4:13). What resources should you invest in to help you excel?
You only play well if you practice well. So, where are you on the practice continuum? Just starting out? At the phase of rapid progress? Have you already made your greatest gains, now you’re fine tuning? Knowing where you are, helps you know what you need to do. So keep practicing.
SoulFood: Micah 1-4, John 19:17-30, Ps 105:16-22, Pr 30:10-14
