This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Cross Examined: Who is the Greatest? (LISTEN HERE)
Greatness comes with practice.
If you look at those that are labeled as the “GOAT” in their field, you see behind their exceptional performance is a regime of discipline and practice that hones their skills to be the best they can be. A Michael Jordan or Caitlin Clark don’t just show up one day on the professional court and expect to compete. Hours of time in the gym coupled with nutrition, training and more lead to them being exceptional on the basketball court.
It is true that we are given the status of “great” by our heavenly Father as a gift of grace. So let’s make every effort to grow into and develop that status.
We’ve talked about the attitude of humility and the actions of service, but what might that look like on a daily basis that will develop the greatness of the faith and person God has made us to be.
The Apostle Paul said this:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Fill your mind with the things of God.
Even on the basketball court, the mental game is the one you have to win first. If you are not mentally focused, your game will be off and your opponent will get in your head. The same is true of our Christian life. If our minds are not being filled and transformed by the Spirit of God and the power of his Word, Satan is going to get into our head. Instead of things that are true, lovely and admirable, our minds will believe lies, focus on dark and unworthy things. Greatness comes when our minds are filled with the things of God. So make it a daily habit to fill your mind with the Word of God.
Put your faith into practice.
Knowing something and doing something are two different things. I can know how to make a layup, but miss them every time. My knowledge must be practiced to perfect the activity. So it is with our Christian life as well. We know that the Spirit produces fruit when he works in us. Paul summarized it this way in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
All of these takes practice. So pick one that perhaps challenges you most. Ask God for opportunities to practice it each day. Perhaps it’s noticing a person at work or school or at home that needs a little of your time to listen and understand. Practice kindness. Perhaps you have been cut off on your way home from work or feel attacked by your spouse. Practice gentleness and self-control. Perhaps you have a situation that is worrying you and causing you anxiety. Practice living in the peace God gives. Put your faith into practice.
Be a person of prayer.
Our heavenly Father loves to know our challenges and successes of our faith life. Take time each day to present your requests to him. Ask him to mold your mind and guide your actions into the greatness he has planned for you that day. Ask him to keep you unattached from any reward or return, but just to enjoy living out the heart and mind of God he has given to you.
Enjoy being great today!
Apply: Which thing from this week’s devotions is on your mind to, with God’s help, work on as you live out God-given greatness?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching me what greatness really is. Spirit of God, fill me each day with all the things my mind needs to walk in step with you. Guide me to the opportunities to live out greatness today. AMEN.