Week 38 | STEP UP

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23).

The last couple of years have been hard. We have been dealing with pandemics, we have been dealing with politics, and we have been dealing with social justice. There are so many things that can keep us distracted, and there are so many things that can keep us from being the best we can be. There are distractions everywhere, and there are so many opportunities for us to use excuses for why we aren't focused enough, gritty enough, tough enough, and resilient enough to do what we know we need to do.

But the storms are our opportunity to show the power, strength, love and grace of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. The storms are our opportunity to STEP UP. Everybody is great when the shots are falling, the bats are hitting, and the ball is hitting the back of the net. The special ones know how to STEP UP and survive and thrive when things are hard. The special ones are consistent. The special ones have a routine and stick to it no matter what is going on. The great ones bring it every day.

The special ones WIN every, single, day by STEPPING UP.

The special ones attack Monday and win it to get to Tuesday. The special ones attack Tuesday and win it to get to Wednesday. The special ones don't skip Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to get to the weekend. The special ones win EVERY DAY.

It is harder to stay focused and to win every day now than it has ever been. It is harder to live the life we are called to live today than it has ever been. Distractions are everywhere, but every distraction brings an opportunity for us to STEP UP.

When the distractions come, remember that the thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but Jesus came so that we may have life and live it up to the full. God has plans for us to prosper. God has plans for us to succeed and flourish (Jeremiah 29:11).

Adopt a mindset that you are going to only do things one way - the right way - all the time. It is called having an "All The Time Mindset." Commit to giving 100% in everything you do. Commit to STEPPING UP and becoming the person you were called to be. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart as if you are working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

This Week

1 - What is one way that you can STEP UP as an athlete, teammate, coach, or leader?

2 - STEPPING UP also means STEPPING UP as a servant leader. Who is one person that you can commit to being there for this week? What are you going to do to be the type of person that makes others better?

Pray - "Our father, I pray that you give me the strength, wisdom, and guidance that I need to STEP UP for myself and others this week. Show me my use for your purpose, and guide me towards that purpose. Amen."

Extra Reading:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:7-9)."

For a Google doc version of this, click here: Week 38 devo - STEP UP