When I was a freshman in college, I heard this a lot. It was a one-sided conversation from my coach, and it went something like this: “If you want to get in the game, don’t leave my side. Stay right next to me. When I need a defensive lineman, I’m only going to yell once.”

This was a great coaching technique. In fact, I liked it so much that I used it myself when I became a coach, and it usually resulted in one or two players following me around like lost puppies. Recently, when I read James 4:8, I was reminded of these days. This verse tells us that when we come near to God, He will come near to us.

In the game of life we will all be on the field at some point. There will come a day when we are put into circumstances that will define us as humans and as Christians. It is for these times—just like critical times in athletic contests—that we had better be ready.

Athletes get ready for these crunch times by spending time with and drawing near to their coach, and we should do the same with God. Jeremiah 30:17 tells us that God will heal us and restore our health. In times of great temptation and spiritual battle, shouldn’t we be as spiritually healthy and prepared as we can possibly be? In Psalm 23:3 we also read that God refreshes our souls. As coaches, when we put athletes into games, we are counting on them to be fresh and ready to get the job done. When step onto the field for Jesus, He expects us to be as fresh as we can be.

As an athlete, I always wanted to be on the field. As a coach, I always wanted my athletes to want to be on the field. I also wanted them to be as fresh and in shape as possible so that they could give all that they had for the team. Shouldn’t we want the same from ourselves when we step into the battle for Jesus?

Today, examine your intimacy and proximity to God. In order to stay spiritually fresh and get in the game, you have to stay by His side.