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October 21, 2008
Learning from Our Day II
...Growing through God's input! |
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Greetings!
Last week, I wrote about the review of "game film" and related the process to the spiritual process of reflection. Reflection of life is a method of discipleship and growth for followers of Jesus. The devotion highlighted the review of "game film", our day, as a process for learning from mistakes. This is true and needed both in football and in life. Yet, there is another aspect of "watching film" I want to highlight and it relates to our walk with Jesus as well.
This past Friday, our football team played a great game. Sure, there were mistakes but there were also tremendous plays. When we get together to analyze film we not only highlight the mistakes but we praise the good play. This encourages the athlete and rewards training and performance. The same is true in our daily reflection with the Lord.
God is not a god that desires to punish and highlight weaknesses, frailty, mistakes or sin. He does bring correction and is always coaching but He also uses positive reinforcement and praise for to encourage performance and effort. God understands that life can be a formidable foe and that we often feel like failures. This is why He is the greatest motivator and coach ever! He uses daily reflection and "watching film" with you to highlight, not only your mistakes, but your great plays. God "breaks down" the day and captures teachable moments where you are encouraged, motivated to bring God more glory, and excited about the "game" of life!
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Review and Look for the Good Stuff!
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
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| Learn from mistakes and successes
I get excited when I catch a player executing as we have trained. It "pumps" me up. The player wins, the team wins and we all are encouraged. Success is an indicator that the process is working! When we capture success through review it helps to solidify the behavior, reinforce the motive and encourage repetition. The same is true of our walk with God.
Paul encouraged the church in Philippi to "meditate" on the "good stuff". Paul knew, through the wisdom of God, that life is hard and we need to train to win. We need to not only know about things like sin, temptation, failure and apathy but we need to focus on devotion, love, faith and hope. We need to "watch film" and meditate on the "good stuff" that happened during the day.
When you begin a daily time of reflection it will seem awkward at first. We are usually great at recalling what went wrong but not so good at recalling what went right. Take time to think about what worked in your day. What brought God glory and you peace? What words did you speak that edified? What was the response? What action did you execute that blessed? Meditate on the good stuff and God will use the process to coach you and encourage you to do it more often!
The review of film is not only for mistakes. The review of film is also to "catch" players performing as trained. Your coach in Heaven desires no less. He has a plan to review "game film" with you and "catch" you doing life right. He will use the process to move you from faith to faith and His Kingdom forward. |
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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