By Dan Britton
I have enjoyed many sports, but my favorite has been lacrosse, as participant and spectator. This sport has also taught me about life. For example: using the “go-to move.” When the outcome of a lacrosse game was on the line and our team needed a goal, I went to my “go-to move,” which I called “the inside roll dodge.” It was a move I practiced thousands of times and executed in competition with great success.
Coaches, teams, and players know go-to moves can impact a contest. A go-to move can be so effective, even if the player told you ahead of time that they were going to use it, you would still be unable to stop them. This principle can hold true for any area of life, including the business and professional world.
An effective salesperson may have a special sales presentation for a “go-to move.” A business executive may have a specific strategy for making difficult decisions or solving challenging problems. For when complications arise during surgery, a skilled surgeon may also have a go-to move to avert the crisis. Perhaps in your line of work, you also have a go-to move that has proved effective.
I believe this concept of a go-to move also is true in a spiritual sense, especially for those of us who have a desire to serve Jesus Christ in the marketplace. Do you have any “go-to moves” that enable you to be your best for Christ, whether preparing for the workday or as you conduct your daily responsibilities? My friend and leadership expert Dan Webster has shared three spiritual go-to moves with me. These have been very beneficial for me, and I believe they can help in maximizing your impact for Christ:
1. Go-To Place. Where do you go every day to connect with God? My go-to place is the desk my grandfather gave me when I was in college. Thousands of times, it has been my place of refuge where I worship God daily through prayer, reading and writing. Where and when we engage God is essential to a vibrant walk with Christ. In Mathew 6:6, Jesus says, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Where is your go-to place? It will change your life.
2. Go-To Passage. What sections of the Bible give you the greatest comfort and hope? What passage or verse is giving you direction and guidance, or reviving your soul? I am talking about a passage you keep returning to because it speaks to you and resonates with your heart. Job 17:9 has been my go-to verse for the past month: “The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” A go-to passage can be the same for a week, a month, or a year. In Colossians 3:16, Paul encourages us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” What passage is doing that, giving you daily encouragement and nourishment? Find a go-to passage that energizes you.
3. Go-To Person. Who is your go-to person? Everybody needs at least one, someone you can call at any hour and know they will be available. Isolation is the Christ follower’s silent enemy; key relationships can stop the sin of isolation. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Solomon reminds us why we all need a go-to person: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Who is your go-to person? If you don’t have one, find one immediately! They can literally save you from disaster and sharpen you for greater impact. And most likely, you can do the same for them!
© 2024. Dan Britton is a writer, coach and trainer who serves as Chief Field Officer with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and leads thousands of staff in over 100 countries. Britton played professional lacrosse with the Baltimore Thunder and has coauthored eight books, including: One Word, WisdomWalks, and Called to Greatness. He is a frequent public speaker. Dan and his wife, Dawn, reside in Overland Park, Kansas, and have three married children and a granddaughter.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- Have you ever considered the idea of having a “go-to move,” whether in sports, your profession, or even areas of your personal life? If you have one – or more – what are they, and how do you use them?
- Can you think of situations at work in which having a go-to move would be beneficial? Do you know of someone, perhaps your boss or a coworker, who has demonstrated a go-to move they often utilize? If so, describe this individual and how they use this strategy.
- What do you think of the concept of having “go-to moves” to support or enhance your spiritual life, especially in applying it to your career?
- Which of the three suggested spiritual go-to moves seems most interesting to you: go-to place, go-to passage, or go-to person? Which of these, if any, do you already have? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Joshua 1:8-9; Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 27:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24-25
Challenge for This Week
Having spiritual “go-to moves” can be a wonderful asset as we strive to live out our faith on a consistent, everyday basis in the workplace. This week consider whether you have any of the three that have been suggested – go-to place, go-to passage, and go-to person.
Think of ways they can become part of your daily times of Bible study, meditation, and prayer. Also, find someone – or more than one person – to whom you can become mutually accountable for implementing these into your lives.