.

As we left to head home about 9:30, I looked over to the court and there he was. Now it was dark; he was hot and sweaty but he was still at it, practicing his shot and dribbling an hour and half later. I was impressed but gave it little thought as I headed back to the house.

Gracie my three year old has my sleep habits, meaning she rarely sleeps. Sometime during the ten o’clock hour in order to get her to sleep I will put her in a stroller and go for a walk. This night though it was about 10:30 when we started out, as I turned the corner I could hear the thump, thump of a ball hitting the ground. I looked over in the direction of the court and guessed that is where it was coming from.

Instead of going the normal route I took Gracie toward the court to see what was going on over there out of curiosity. As we arrived at the court I looked up to see our friend who had come at 8 still shooting baskets, still dribbling and still working on his game.

After everyone else was in their comfortable homes, while his friends were hanging out at other homes or in their house playing video games or on the phone he was working on his game. I have no idea of what kind of player he is but I know this he is getting the most out of what he has.

I have been around some pretty good players in sports, and they all had this one thing in common. They were always the last ones off the field in practice. In the summer while others were taking it easy they were putting in the extra hours of practice. I knew this because I would show up and there they would be, I would leave the field and they were still there.

My thought is this; great players and great people are made not in the public eye but in private, long after others have quit. At that time they are doing the ‘little extras’ that make them special. No question the same is true in our spiritual life.

How we respond to our daily life is determined by how we take care of business in the quite times, away from the hustle and bustle of life. I have met few people who are satisfied with their spiritual life. If we are not we need to ask ourselves some questions. Before our days starts are we spending time preparing our hearts for the day by quietly meditating on God’s word. Are we getting away from it all each day long enough to pray for not only the needs of others but for our own personal lives? Are we going a little deeper than just a few short verses when we read? If we are having trouble with some sin in our life are we getting help, digging in deeper and putting in the extra time?

The question for us is; are we satisfied with our ‘spiritual game’ and if not are we willing to do what it takes to make the change?

The lesson is clear from the boy on the court, to get better it takes work, it takes desire and it takes sacrifice, to be the best we can be it takes doing the extras while others aren’t looking.

How is your game?

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, lead us to still moments where we can seek your will and your way. Help us to not be satisfied until we have tasted your goodness and grown from our time with you. We are thankful you reveal yourself to us and guide us in all ways. Help us this day to be lead by your spirit. We ask all these things in the name of Christ, Amen.