PRE-GAME & PRE-WORSHIP PREPARATION

(by Kama Tucker)

Pre-game Preparation

Tomorrow is the "big game." The winner of tomorrow's double header goes on to the conference tournament. You are really excited because for the last week your team has been on the road, but tomorrow's game is at home! You can't wait to hear the fans cheer and see the bleachers full of support.

As you wash your home jersey and get excited just thinking about the game, you start thinking..." we really need a new warm-up tape to pump us up." So, off you go to gathering "Jock Jams" and all the best music to pump up your team. As you are recording, the music makes you want to just go out and crush the ball. You think to yourself how awesome it will be to warm up to this tape because if this tape won't pump you up--nothing will.

You finish the tape, lay out your uniform, and say your prayers...which of course include playing your best and maybe even a win?!?!?! You fall asleep thinking about certain plays and strategies. The beautiful sun wakes you up, and you think "What a wonderful day to play softball." You are excited all day as you count the hours until you're on the field.

It's time to suit up and rush to the field. It looks beautiful. Adrenaline is already flowing! You start to really focus, leaving all the stress of pre-calculus, history, and your composition classes behind you. You leave the stresses of your financial aid loans still not yet being approved behind. You can't be thinking of all this plus your family's problems and the fight you and your boyfriend got into just two hours ago over your ex-boyfriend calling you. You give it to God and ask Him to help you focus on softball and softball only.

You look down at your Adidas cleats that are definitely the nicest cleats on the team. You pull out your brand new Demarini bat which you just know has some great hits left in it for you today. Then you turn on the tape and join the team as you all cheer and get excited about today's doubleheader. The music is pumpin', the fans are starting to come, your coach reads the line-up, and you are so ready to play ball. You watch the ball into your glove. You focus on the follow through on of your throw, eye contact and wrist-snap, stride, pivot on your swing and tee work. You are so focused as you warm-up that nothing could distract you. You are excited, driven, and ready...to play the best game of your life!!!

We spend so much time and energy preparing for our athletic games!  After all, it's a natural response for wanting to get the most out of the competition. But have you ever thought about wanting to get the most out of your relationship with God? How well do you prepare your heart and mind to give and receive the most out of your relationship with God? Consider the following questions:

 

Pre-worship Preparation

1. Do you prepare your heart the night before Sunday morning worship? How? What could you be better prepared (i.e. Do you get good sleep as you would for a big game?)?
2. What kind of music do you listen to before you worship? Does it pump you up about worshipping the Creator of the universe?
3. What type of a difference do fans make at a softball game? Do you think God wants you to be supported by other believers?
4. Do you cheer God the way you do your favorite team?
5. When you wake up on Sunday morning, do you think to yourself, "What a beautiful day to worship my Lord?"
6. Are you excited every morning as you get ready to be in the presence of Almighty God?
7. Do you worry about what you are going to wear?
8. Do you ask God to help you focus on nothing but Him, or do you stress about all your problems and what you have to do that day while in the service? Would you make a "to do list" in the middle of a game? Worship service?