While in grade school I received various incentives for maintaining quality grades. My grandmother agreed to pay me for bringing home high marks. A “C” brought the sum of a quarter, a “B” was worth 50 cents, and an “A” earned a dollar. With that, every six weeks turned into payday and every assignment an opportunity to earn something more than a grade.

“One of the corrosive forces,” William Zinsser said, “in American life, I think, is our obsession with the victorious result: the winning Little League team, the high-test score, the record-breaking salary, the sacred bottom line. Coaches who finish first are gods; coaches who finish second are not. Less glamorous gains made under good coaches and good teachers–growth, wisdom, confidence, self-expression, sportsmanship, dealing with failure and loss–aren’t valued because they don’t get a grade.”

Sports media regularly talks about champions “turning it on”, or “flipping the switch” when the big moment arrives. The way people talk, you’d think the ability to “turn it on” under the bright lights is a special talent only some are born with.

Isn’t turning it on, or up, or whatever you call it, simply performing at a high level when the pressure is highest?

The issue on the table is one of performance, not talent.

Life is full of uncertain and difficult circumstances. Much of life is moving from one such situation or circumstance to the other without stop or delay.

It is an unrelenting series of events that can be downright discouraging at times.

When those moments come, stop and ask yourself one question:

You often hear people say, “Hate the sin but love the sinner.”

It’s a confusing and misunderstood phrase, but right on the money.

It encourages the idea of separating one’s behavior from their identity, something often encouraged in the Scriptures. What you do does not define you. It does not determine who you are.