When people hear that I played football at the University of Alabama, they often picture packed stadiums, roaring crowds, and those iconic Saturdays in the South. But my journey didn’t start there—it began under the Friday night lights at Sweet Water High School in Alabama. Those nights were unforgettable, but like Saturdays in college, they were only part of the story.

The real work happened long before the games. It was in the winter workouts, the spring drills, the sweltering summer practices, and the brutal two-a-days in August. At Sweet Water and later at Alabama, success wasn’t something that just happened when the lights came on. It was earned through discipline—day in and day out.

We had to be consistent. We had to show up. We had to be committed to the little things: stretching properly, staying focused during film sessions, eating right, and trusting the process even when it hurt. The wins on Friday and Saturday were built on what no one else saw. And that truth has stuck with me ever since.

The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. Too often, we treat our faith like a game day—we show up for a moment, hoping everything falls into place. But we can’t expect to face spiritual battles unprepared. We can’t expect to grow in faith without discipline. Just like football, our spiritual lives require consistent training.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection…” He knew that spiritual effectiveness isn’t just about knowledge or calling—it’s about discipline. Discipline builds capacity. It expands your ability to carry the weight of what God has called you to do.

Private moments of prayer, Scripture study, fasting, and quiet obedience are where we build that capacity. They’re our spiritual workouts. And they prepare us for the moments when life demands more from us.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. Before launching into public ministry, He withdrew in solitude, fasting and praying. His strength came from time alone with the Father. Our strength comes the same way.

So ask yourself: Are you preparing like it matters? Are you building spiritual muscle through daily discipline? Or are you waiting for game day, hoping you’ll somehow be ready?

Let’s focus on the little things. Because they’re never really little. They’re what prepare us for the big things.

Thought to Ponder:
Are you actively building your spiritual capacity through disciplined practices? Which habits do you need to cultivate more faithfully?

Prayer:
Lord, train me through discipline. Help me to seek You in the quiet, to grow in strength where no one sees, so I can serve You in the light. Expand my capacity for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.