This devotional series is from intriguing new books you’ll want to read. Today’s is by Levi Lusko.

Out of all the good repeated decisions you need to make room for in your life, what I’m going to tell you about has been the biggest game changer for me: the concept of intense preparation so that you can effortlessly enjoy the actual competition.

I will never speak without going through an important ritual. I kneel in prayer and admit my weaknesses so that I can enter into Christ’s strength. You can’t rise like a lion if you don’t first kneel like a lamb.

In the last moment before taking the stage, I always say the following:

I am a son of the king.
I have the spirit that raised Christ from the dead.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
I am as bold as a lion.

Forcing these words to come out of my mouth causes me to step into what is true about me. It puts me into the frame of mind in which I am not trying to impress people but am sent by God to bless people. This stops me from looking for validation by reminding me I am already valued. Rooting my identity gives me strength for that day’s activity.

If all this preparation seems like overkill, realize that the benefit of purposely heightening the intensity before the game begins is decreased pressure once it does.

We’re tempted to phone it in while merely practicing and really turn it on when it is game time: I’ll work hard to prepare a message when the Bible study is not just for a small youth group. I’ll memorize the songs instead of reading off a music stand when I lead worship at a bigger church. I’ll hustle when I get promoted and have more responsibility. I’ll write if and when I get a book deal.

Public victory comes from private discipline. If you aren’t busting your butt to kill it where you are, God isn’t going to turn up the volume on your life. He isn’t going to export to greater platforms what isn’t working at home.