Ready:
"But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” —베드로전서 3:15
Set:
In a typical basketball season, there are 18-20 games played over 3-4 months. Between in-season and preseason, there are 65-75 practices. Those preseason and in-season practices are essential to each game. It is in those times when players learn proper technique. It’s practicing over and over the skills building muscle memory, so that in any moment during the game muscle memory takes over.
This very idea is absolutely true about your faith in Jesus Christ. In your daily walk with Christ you listen, you learn and you practice correct attitudes, thoughts, words and actions that honor Him. The more we do these things the more we are gaining spiritual muscle and spiritual muscle memory, so that at any moment we will respond correctly and think, say or do the honorable things. The first step, according to 1 Peter 3:15, is to set Christ above everything else in your heart and mind. Not only do we honor Him because He is our Creator but because He is holy.
When we place Jesus Christ in His rightful place, we are preparing to be ready, like muscle memory, to give an answer to anyone who asks us about our lives and our spiritual commitment to Christ. Because we have practiced through our daily walk, we are prepared to give a clear answer about how Jesus Christ is our life and hope.
The clear indicator of a basketball player’s practice and time spent working on skills is in the game. The player is ready and prepared, using muscle memory. The commitment and consistency show during each shot, pass and ball handling moment. May this principle of muscle memory in your spiritual life show clearly who Jesus is, what He says, what He does and how He is living and leading us every day.
Go:
List the kinds of things you do in practice or workouts that builds muscle memory, which prepares you for the game. Why is each element important to playing in the game?
What things are you doing to build spiritual muscle memory?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, thank You for who You are as God and Savior of the world and me. Help me to practice daily the right kinds of spiritual life things, so that I will be prepared to share and show You and Your ways when asked. I need Your help, strength and courage. Thank you. In Your name Jesus, amen.”