One element of many of my high school basketball practices was running sprints followed by shooting foul shots. I’m sure other teams did and still do use this technique. The point of that was to practice shooting free throws when you were tired. Late game foul shots can be huge. A player needs to stay sharp until the final buzzer. It’s often the biggest difference in a close game down the stretch – being able to get the job done even when your tank is empty. It’s kind of the same reason that coaches often say you play how you practice. It’s about being ready when the key moment arrives.
I keep thinking about that this week. Not so much about basketball practices from 30 years ago. Ugh. I’m lucky I can even remember them at this point. I keep thinking about the importance of being prepared to get the work of life done when the pressure is on and you’re tired. It’s not always physical. In fact, maybe it’s more about the mental as an adult. For example, I tend to make poor food choices when I’m hungry. This is when I am more likely to eat junk that has no or little nutritional value or I simply overeat. It’s not really physical. I’m not going to die. I am just not mentally ready to make the right decision.
How many other situations do we do this in? I can tell you that my children are natural experts in finding when I am at my most tired or weak. They frequently choose those moments to ask for extra snacks, more video game time, a later bedtime, or a sleepover with a friend. It’s like they know Mommy’s free throw percentage is about to tank. They just find me with my proverbial hands on my knees trying to catch my breath and then decide to put some pressure on.
My children aren’t the only ones that seem to have a knack for that. Life does. Satan does. In fact, this is what the devil is banking on. We see this when he tempted Jesus in the desert. Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and nights. Naturally, the devil starts his temptations by suggesting Jesus turn stones to bread. He quotes scripture each time Satan tempts Him and eventually chases him away. Jesus was already prepared before the time came.
Here’s the deal. Life is going to happen. It’s not all going to be good. Death is going to happen. Pandemics are going to happen. The devil is going to roam around and look for ways to attack. He’s going to score some points because rest assured, he comes prepared. We’re going to get tired and worn down. We’re going to have days when we question and doubt and want to throw in the towel. I know because I have them, too. Some moments it just feels like we’re too tired to even care.
I want to encourage us all to do the work of preparation, especially when we’re already tired. This is when the pressure gets heavy. Spend time with God in prayer and worship. Read and study your Bible. Spend time praying for the friends who will be the ones helping you in your battles. Seek to increase your faith and others’ by sharing your stories of how God has shown up.
There is a bit in 1 Peter 3 that I particularly like. It’s under a heading about suffering for doing good. That’s a reminder that suffering is going to happen, sometimes even when we’re doing the right thing. Expect it. The verses that jump out to me are 15 and 16. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Specifically, I like that we are told to be prepared to give the reason for our hope. Though this was originally Paul preparing Peter to share the Gospel, it is something all Christians need to be ready for. Christ is our hope in good days and bad, rested, or tired, treated well or not. When that stays in our hearts and on our lips, our hope and faith are strengthened, and we can share it with others. It’s what we’re here to do.
Friends these are days of sustained pressure and suffering. Our hope in Christ will outlast it. It is a lifeline on the hard days. Stay prepared and ready to share it. It’s more important now than ever.
