Guest Post by Larry Hillman
I have a friend who is a legend in dirt track racing. He is in the Racing Hall of Fame and has won well over 1,000 races. Recently I asked him this question: “If all the competitors, by rule, have the same equipment, then why do you win so often. Are you just that much better than everyone else?”
His reply made me immediately think of my children’s ministry. “I am a better driver than most, but the key to winning is preparation. I have to set the car up to win during the week before I ever get to the track.”
If we want a “win” on Sunday; we can’t just rely on our gifting or God given talent. No matter how good we are at leading or entertaining a group of kids, we must spend time during the week preparing the lesson, setting up the room and planning for every possible scenario.
My friend is a great driver, but if he is driving a poorly prepared car, his talent will not make up the difference, and he will get a less than desired result.
If we show up on Sunday with a poorly service, our talent will not make up the difference, and we will get a less than desired result.
The time we spend during the week praying, training workers, preparing lessons and dreaming about all God has for us will cause us to have a wonderfully prepared service each and every Sunday.
Great services and great ministries don’t just happen, they are created with great effort.
In his book “Through My Eyes” Tim Tebow makes this statement: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Larry has always had a heart for reaching out and helping children. His career has spanned from school principal to children’s pastor to national children’s camp speaker to author of children’s and leadership books. Larry is currently Associate Pastor at Faith Life Church in Tampa Florida. Website www.kidzrchampions2.com
