I have been a coach for more than twenty years and currently serve as the middle school baseball coach for Westminster Academy. I understand the importance of practice. Contrary to the old homily, practice never makes perfect, but it certainly helps make progress! There is an important principle regarding practice which we attempt to instill in the minds of the players: the way we practice will determine how we perform in the actual game. An individual or team who practices in a lackadaisical manner will not suddenly transform into a focused, powerful champion when the actual game begins.
What is true in the practice of sports is also true in the practice of spirituality—what we might call practicing the presence of God. The way we practice the presence of God will determine how we perform in the life God has called us to live.
Paul made this crystal clear when he wrote, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). Practicing the presence of God begins and ends at the cross. It is at the cross that we find the meaning of life, the message of life, and the Master of life. And because practice never makes perfect, we must continuously return to the foot of the cross, where grace renews us for practicing the presence of God.
So, what does it really look like when we are practicing the presence of God? In the words of Jack Miller, we are to “preach the gospel to ourselves every day.” This is the most important discipline in practicing the presence of God. Sinners are the only ones in need of the Gospel. So preaching the gospel to ourselves every day continually reminds us of two incredibly important truths:
1. We are sinners. Even the good works that we do are so stained by our sin as to be nothing more than “a polluted garment” in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6).
2. Our sins are forgiven. When you practice the presence of God by preaching the Gospel to yourself daily, you reinforce this glorious truth, that God has removed our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). This gives you both the permission and the power to go on. Only sinners who know they have been forgiven can continue practicing the presence of God, even in the presence of our own sin. Practice was never intended to make perfect on this side of the grave, only progress. This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT…AMEN!
Grace for the Race 