Dedication to a craft

I was listening to a podcast where a coach stated that,"amateurs practice until they get it right while professionals practice until they cant get it wrong." It begs the question, are you looking to be an amateur or a professional in your personal, professional and spiritual life?

I have developed a disdain for modern education where the focus appears to be on getting it right over learning. The process is to consume information for a short period of time and be able to regurgitate it for a computer to grade. We give the student a passing grade and then have no concern that they forget most of what was learned before moving on to the next subject.

Rinse, wash and repeat. This is not a system for learning. On the contrary, it is a system best suited for indoctrination and memorization where those who rise to the top are the ones best equipped to memorize and accept the facts as presented with little to no discernment.

Having been raised in this system of education, I took its precepts to be the basis for optimal coaching. Let me show you how it is done. Do it this way or don't expect to get any playing time. Don't think for yourself, just emulate what I am teaching. Memorize and regurgitate.

What I learned is that mindless robotic dedication to craft will win you games when you have the far superior athletes, win some of the games when you are equally matched and will lose you games every time when the other team has superior talent.

However, what if players practiced until they discovered for themselves how not to be wrong. This would require each player to build a framework from which they internalized the problems and objectives that need to be overcome. Instead of focusing on meeting my arbitrary standard for excellence they pursued excellence and figured out for themselves how to achieve it.

"Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." Proverbs 22:29

The man who can develop a skill set that solves problems is a man who has mastered true skill. He is not reliant upon the manual or youtube video. He is the individual from whom manuals and youtube videos are created. The world needs this man because he has become a person who sets high standards that are founded in truth and thereby others can find reliable. This man will be sought after.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

The Bible encourages believers to approach their work and endeavors with dedication, discipline, and a focus on excellence. The principles of persistent practice, continuous improvement, and giving one's best effort align with the biblical teachings on diligence and commitment.

God calls us to be professional spiritual leaders. He does not call us to memorize scripture for the sake of taking a biblical test. He desires that we internalize for ourselves His teachings and then use our God given talents be His hands and feet.

The world does not need more chest pounding Pharisees and Sadducees. We need men and women who yearn to be professional Christians. Individuals who practice their faith not to be right by some arbitrary standard which man sets; but, instead desire to not be wrong because they seek a personal relationship with Christ.

When we practice to not be wrong in all we do, we will not only change our own life trajectory but will begin the process of "standing before Kings". We will not have to read a book or watch a video to know what to do. Instead, we will be known as men and women who speak truth, honor God and whose service to others exhibits to others that we are professional Christians.