How Did They Do It?
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Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Heavenly Connections
How Did They Do It?
by Tim Hall
The crowds that follow Tiger Woods around the golf
course are enormous. Television cameras are
everywhere when Lebron James and the Cleveland
Cavaliers come to town. Fathers and sons come to
the ball park early to see Alex Rodriguez take
batting practice. In the minds of those who watch
such superstar athletes is this question: "How do
they do it?" What enables this performer to hit
the ball so far, to putt so accurately, to hit
free throw after free throw?
My own layman's opinion is that there must be a
certain degree of inborn ability. That's pretty
obvious in basketball, for example. If you're less
than six feet tall, it's going to be nearly
impossible to make the pros. But it takes more
than genetic luck of the draw. The main ingredient
behind all of these sports elites is practice.
Those who spend hours in the gym or on the playing
field preparing themselves for the competition are
the ones who excel. Take away the practice, and a
person is rarely going to make a name for himself.
Spiritually the principle is the same. Most of us
would consider Daniel a superstar. What courage he
displayed when King Darius signed the order
prohibiting prayer to anyone other than himself!
Instead of obeying a sinful command, Daniel put
his trust in God. He chose a night with the lions
instead of a month away from God.
What enabled Daniel to take such a courageous
stand? The answer is found in Daniel 6:10: "Now
when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he
went home. And in his upper room, with his windows
open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees
three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks
before his God, as was his custom since early
days" (NKJV).
"As was his custom": That explains Daniel's
superstar performance that day. Had it not been
for the many hours of practicing his faith toward
God, he surely would have failed this test.
Jesus also demonstrated the principle. As the time
of His arrest and persecution drew near, Jesus was
fully aware of what lay ahead. But in spite of His
foreknowledge of what He was about to face, He
kept moving forward with no hint of retreat. What
gave Jesus such courage in the face of trial?
The answer is in Luke 22:39: "And coming out, He
went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed,
and His disciples also followed Him." Luke went on
to record that Jesus prayed, the activity to which
He was accustomed. Many other statements in the
other gospels attest that prayer was a daily habit
with Jesus. Without that, could He have stood the
test?
Many of us avow that we want to be bold and
courageous for the Lord. But are we willing to
make spirituality our daily custom? Can we turn
away from the distractions of life to be nourished
by the Father above? Why do we expect to be strong
in the trying moments when we fail to look to God
in the mundane moments?
We should meditate longer on that phrase in Luke
22:39: ". . . and His disciples also followed
Him." To be strong like Daniel and Jesus, we'll
have to spend hours practicing our faith like
Daniel and Jesus.
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