Intentional Faith

In the summer of 1996 I was in Binghamton, New York, on a road trip.

I was 27 years old and playing baseball for the Bowie Baysox, which was, and 23 years later still is, the Baltimore Orioles AA baseball team.

We were in Binghamton for a four game series with the Binghamton Mets, and on this particular day our team bus was scheduled for an early morning departure to visit the baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown, which was 90 miles away.

The entire team, including all of the coaches, made the trip that day, and I heard later it was a fantastic experience. I didn’t go.

I didn’t go because I had specific work to do that day. I had to train, and not training that day, as my personal regimen called for, was simply not an option.

So, while the team took the bus to Cooperstown, I took a cab to a local gym to lift weights, alone.

I don’t relay all of this looking for a gold star or to brag on my work ethic back then. That was 23 years ago, nobody cares. I tell that story to make a point.

The point is that my non-negotiable training regimen was a large part of why I was having success at such a high level. It had been my consistent approach to the game for years.

Stay with me, and let’s switch gears….

Everyone I know that is high level “successful” at something in this world followed, and continues to follow, a similar path.

Success, the outcome they desired, the steps required to get them there, and then keep them there, became non-negotiable at some point. For example….

I know people that are high level successful, running companies, farms, people that are doctors, high ranking military officers, company leading salesmen, and yes home makers count. I could keep going, but you get the point.

They have all achieved a high level of success in their chosen field, just as I did in baseball, by following a similar blueprint. Simply put….

They were willing to do what needed to be done, when it needed to be done, to the best of their ability. Day in, and day out.

But wait a minute Shane, not everyone can achieve this high level of worldly success! You know what, you are right. Everyone can’t.

Let’s switch gears again….

Now let’s talk about Faith. Where a high level of success is available to EVERYBODY.

Let’s talk about people we know that have a “successful” Faith, or Faith walk. People who, from all appearances, seem to have a stronger, and more consistent, “Faith” than we do.

How do you think they got there, and, how do you think they stay there?

They likely got there because at some point they came to the end of themselves. Maybe life beat them up, or maybe their story book life just lost its glamour, and became empty, maybe a combination of both.

Regardless of why, they reached a point where they started seeking, and God started working, and a personal relationship was formed with the Creator of the universe, through Jesus Christ, and their life was changed.

They said this is great, but I don’t want an average “just get me into Heaven” faith, I want an ever closer walk with God, and a continually growing and strengthening Faith.

These people we know that have this level of Faith didn’t just make God a part of their life, then give Him an occasional priority that ebbed and flowed depending on their daily circumstances, the weather and the social calendar.

They made God, and seeking God, a consistent priority. Better yet, they made God a non-negotiable, daily, priority in their life, and God showed up, and continued to show up, because that’s what God does…. when you make Him the priority in your life.

Here’s the thing…..

Take God with you throughout your day, but also set aside time that is specifically, and non-negotiably, for God. Time to fellowship with just Him, time to be still, and listen, to just Him.

Make intentional time with God a non-negotiable part of your day, practice your Faith, and see what happens.

Get In The Boat. Do Your Part.

From Nose To Toes!

Shane / #16

(Yes, Sharing Is Encouraged!)

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