For the past few weeks I’ve been preparing for my speech at the Men & Boys Conference. God has been dealing with me on the subject of performance and that’s the bulk of my symposium content. I’ve prepared a lesson called “Performing in the Clutch“. What’s interesting is what God has been showing me. I begin to look at characters who excelled at performance when the time came and more importantly, who excelled when time was crucial. On October 31, 2012, Rev. John Adolph was preaching the TWFC 
Fall Revival being hosted at Jordan Grove MBC. His topic was “Finishing in the Red Zone”. He began to talk about how people who are successful finishing in crucial situations tend to rely on the tools they know best and previous experiences. If a football team is great at running the ball, like the Texans, then when the time is crucial, they will run the ball…just ask the Chicago Bears who found this out on SNF. I began thinking about David. When he was battling Goliath, he didn’t try anything new. He used what works and what he was familiar with.
God has supplied us with the tools necessary for whatever situation we face. He has also made it clear that he will direct our path. Why is it then that we, Christians, put out subpar performances when it comes to kingdom business? I believe we sometimes lack the focus and drive neccessary to accomplish what thus said the Lord…not that he hasn’t given it to us. We have to recognize that when we are in a clutch situation, regardless of what it is, it is merely a test to see if we will apply the knowledge and experience God has given us…and…to see if we will allow God with his infinite power to give us the victory.
I have some steps you can do to help perform in the clutch.
- Recognize the Situation. You must understand what is going on and how it affects you and those around you. David went and saw for himself what the problem was. 1 Samuel 17:20
- Determine what’s at stake. You must know what will happen if you accomplish what you set out to do and what will happen if you don’t. David asked and got a clear explanation of what would happen if he killed Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:25-27.
- Reflect on past victories. This isn’t the first time you’ve been in a situation. God has led you before. Think about how he guided and protected you before and use that as confidence knowing he’ll never forsake you. David used his previous battles with the beasts of the earth as proof that he could defeat Goliath. 1 Samuel 17: 34-37
- Work with what you got. A clutch situation isn’t the time to practice…its time to perform. Don’t try methods you’ve never done, haven’t tried or aren’t yours. Use the tools you are familiar with. David didn’t use King Saul’s armor but instead used his slingshot. 1 Samuel 17:38-40
- Do it in Jesus Name. There is power in the name of Jesus. Use that power when dealing with your situation. David began giving God the glory with his first words to Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:45-47
side note…Begin thanking and praising God for the victory before hand…it confuses the enemy.
Wherever God guides, he’ll provide. So, know that whatever situation you are in, for the simple fact that you are in it means that you can not only handle it but have been prepared to handle it. God won’t put more on you than you can bear.
When you are in a sticky situation, what do you do to fix it and finish strong?
Post Written by Charles Lewis