By Cyle Clayton
The average NFL quarterback is 6′ 4″ tall and weighs 235 lbs. Drew Brees is 6′ 0″ tall and weighs 205. He has thrown completions to receivers he can’t even see because of his height and the height of defenders. He has simply studied and prepared with his team so that he knows where the receiver will be and throws there. He is arguably the greatest NFL quarterback of all time. How did he do it?
He will be the first to give credit to God, his family, and his team. As talented as he is, others are just as talented. He also prioritizes the game he is playing. Zack Strief, offensive tackle who played with Brees for 12 years, said, “He’s a coach on the field.” So, he’s not just there, he’s leading. Streif also said, “He’s in install meetings. He’s in game-plan meetings. He watches so much tape. He knows what we’re all doing. I hate when people try and say he’s a system quarterback. He is the system.”
(information above and quotes from an article at 247Sports)
I don’t know if you’ve ever watched a game, but the moment the offense leaves the field Brees has a pad in his hand reviewing video and plays. He has his priorities straight, and it has resulted in success in his faith, family, and football. Listen to people who know him talk about him and they say that his priorities guide his incredible work ethic and his dedication to God, family and football, and all of that is crucial to the success of the Saints. He studies, he participates, he contributes, he leads, and he wins.
If you want to win eternally, then you’ve got to get your priorities straight. Every successful follower of Jesus Christ has the same priorities. Remember, God does not define success like the world does. This isn’t football. Success in God’s kingdom is defined with one word – “faithful.”
Four priorities that result in four practices that are essential. If you make them your habits, you will grow in faithfulness to God and His kingdom. If you don’t make them your habits, you will fail. It’s that simple. Here they are.
Faithfully read the Bible – daily.
Faithfully pray – daily.
Faithfully gather when your church gathers.
Faithfully make disciples. Share the Gospel, be in a small group, give and serve.
You may have great gifts and talents, but your size and talents don’t count for that much in the kingdom of God. Undersized, under-gifted Christians become great in the Kingdom when those priorities are their priorities, because God is the one who makes us great.
Now to help you read the Bible daily, I’ve included a link. It gives you 16 different reading plans to help you systematically, faithfully read God’s Word in 2019. Please click on the link below, pick one, and do it.
Cyle Clayton is pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Many. This editorial first appeared on his blog.
