“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8
Show Up
Athletes know what it means to “show up.” Be it on the track, the court or field, they come ready to work. Every practice and game is a chance to step up, improve, learn and maximize the value in themselves and the program they represent. No matter how we feel in the moment, athletes find a way to be present in mind and emotion, as well as physically.
It’s easy to be little more than a warm body in most rooms in life beyond athletics. We can find ourselves just going through the motions of church attendance, Bible study, maybe reading the Bible independently and praying because it’s the “Christian” thing to do. But when we walk away, we’re left feeling unfulfilled or on a temporary “high.”
Living a fulfilled life with God requires more intentionality and effort, at times, than we may realize. It requires us to be mentally present in prayer, actively listening for what God is teaching us through church attendance and other experiences, and then choosing to put what we’ve learned into practice when the time comes.
When we make the conscious choice to show up in our faith, every moment becomes an opportunity to build a mutual relationship with God that carries over to every aspect of life.
Let’s not be people who merely honor God with our lips yet keep our hearts from Him. Let’s engage our hearts and minds with Him, always be aware of His presence, and be intentional about doing what His Word says.
In what specific ways can you show up today?
— Shanta Crichlow
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