This is the way it really works: trust God, work hard, become more skillful, repeat.

Athlete, when it comes to work and getting jobs, don’t place too much weight on who you know or even what you know. That’s a shallow, shortcutted way of going about things. Really! Keep putting your head down and become as skillful as you can. That’s God’s recipe for promotion. He doesn’t always say when or how … but it’s nearly inevitable. The cream always rises to the top.

Prayer to consider today: LORD, keep teaching us to live a life of faithfulness and gratefulness, commitment and patience, making each day a masterpiece. Help us find joy and peace in the skill-building journey. And help us reject other ways of climbing to the top. We trust You with outcomes.