Football practice always started with “warm up drills”, then moved into contact drills (knocking each other down). After that there were the skill sessions of learning plays & moves…learning what to do, when & how. Then it was gut-check time. We would run wind sprints up and down the field. With my tongue hanging out trying to breathe the coach would scream out, “Give me one more!”

Preparing to participate is not always pleasant. It’s usually hard, maybe painful, sometimes confusing, frustrating and time consuming. When, and if, you lose sight of why you are practicing it becomes overwhelming and people usually quit. We Practice for the Purpose! The Purpose is the WHY!

Jesus made “The Purpose” for Believers very clear in Matthew 22:37-40 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Then Jesus gave us our assignment in Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The whistle has blown…time to hit the field.

I see Believers today participating in life before going to practice…without being prepared. Believers are caught off guard, surprised at the “hits, & tackles” of the world. We can find ourselves being offended, hurt & anxious. The question is, how do you respond? Do people see Jesus in your response?

To respond in the way that pleases the Lord we must relentlessly practice daily prayer & Bible Study. Note, the more you practice, the stronger you get…Practice is never over on God’s Team! Also, when we fumble, and we will, our coach (The Holy Spirit) will offer you some specialized training.

Because God loves us and cares for us so much, He gave us His special uniform to wear each day onto the field. Ephesians 6:10-18 “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Jesus called His followers not to sit in the stands of life but to participate on the field of life. Where are you?