Let me say this first…I have been and am still guilty of this one. I am telling on myself up front…I am guilty of this.
Many years ago as a young high school basketball player, my coach took our team to watch UCLA practice at Pauley Pavilion. This was back “in the day” when UCLA was a national powerhouse in basketball…every year.
As we sat up in the stands observing their practice, I noticed one of their guards shooting jump shots from what would be three point range today (there was no three point line back then).
I don’t know where he was in his routine when I started counting, but when I thought to count, he made 27 shots in a row from the same spot on the floor. Needless to say, I was impressed, since I could not even dream of shooting a ball that far at my age and ability.
It was a display like I had never seen before, and I was convinced he was the greatest shooter to ever lace up a pair of “Chuck Taylor’s”.
He wasn’t just standing there shooting, but running a pattern that was part of their offense. He would catch a pass, and put up his shot… “swish” . I became an instant fan, and knew why his team seldom lost a game…he never missed a shot!
What I forgot was that this was just practice. Imagine my disappointment when the next game was played and he missed several shots in a row! Every time he shot the ball, I just knew it was going in, and it didn’t!
His practice did not duplicate the conditions of a real game, and those other factors contributed to him missing shots I knew he could make.
That is why statistics and records are not kept for practice!
When we are at church…that is our practice. We look good, sound good, we say and do the right things. If our lives were judged by how we are in church, we would never be defeated!
We’d always have joy, love, and friends. Be in a great mood and on our best behavior. Heads bowed, hands raised, and hearts full. People would think we are the best thing to hit earth since…well, Jesus!
But our lives are not judged by how we practice, but how we perform in the game of life. The real game is played outside the church doors, at work, at school, in our homes.
Game conditions cannot be duplicated in church, and God needs “gamers” to step up and show how the game is played, and won.
If you are having trouble in church (at practice) don’t fret. There are plenty of champions who were notoriously bad “practice players”, but when it was for real, when it counted, they came through time and time again (remember, no one is keeping stats at practice).
Practice is important, don’t misunderstand me, but it should not be our emphasis. You should not be so worn out from practice that you can’t play in the game.
Pastors (coaches?), your practice regiment should not leave your players too tired or hurt they can’t play either. Church service is preparation. Living the word is the real game, but you got to be in it to win it.
“Practice what you preach, and preach what you practice…”
Everyday God... 