The Sweet Spot by Kristi Overton Johnson The sweet spot. That place where everything comes together in one accord. As a professional athlete for almost three decades, I know the difference between performing in the sweet spot and the…well, not so sweet spot. One is a place of confidence and finesse, the other, a place of doubt and struggle. I was water skiing competitively by age five. For years, I sought the sweet spot…the perfect combination of the boat’s power, my equipment, foot placement, body weight, body movement, and mental focus. Oh, how sweet it was when I found the sweet spot! It led to world titles and world records—but most importantly, it led to peace, excitement, and adventure. Those seasons in the sweet spot were times of great confidence. There was no fear of the competition or the conditions and no fear of what might happen when I stepped off the safety of the dock and took to the water. I remember experiencing the peace of the sweet spot at an event in Austria years ago. It was my turn to compete. The competition was fierce, and the conditions weren’t so great, but even amid the challenges, I had peace and confidence. I wasn’t afraid. I had long wrestled with fear. Fear of falling. Fear of not being perfect. Fear of disappointing someone—anyone. But in that moment in Austria, I had no fear. Somehow in the depths of my soul, I just knew I was ready. I knew that no matter what, I would perform well and be victorious. Nothing could steal my excitement that day to do what I was gifted to do. I don’t mean to sound boastful. I’m just still so amazed at the peace I had in that moment. I’d been in the same situation hundreds of times before, but fear, anxiety, and “what if” scenarios had always occupied my mind. But there, on that dock, in that season, it was different. I was actually looking forward to the ride—and when I was out on the water, I enjoyed it. Did you know that there is a sweet spot in life, too? It’s found in Christ. In Him, you can experience a sweet peace in life, no matter where you are. In Christ, you can have confidence to step off the dock of life without fear because you know that He will be with you. His grace, provision, and strength will empower you to do what He’s called you to do. It took years, but I’m finally learning to live in that sweet spot in Christ. Even as a Christian and ministry leader, I’ve experienced struggle, exhaustion, and anxiety. As a performer and perfectionist, I’ve fought the notion that I have to work hard to make things happen for God. I’ve been overcommitted, exhausted, and overwhelmed with a sense that I could never do quite enough. It all came to a head one day. I’d been working hard for God, charging ahead with a heart to do good things for Him as a mother, wife, ministry leader, and athlete. But the work seemed never ending and the load too heavy to bear. One day, sitting out on my dock, I asked God why His way was so hard. Immediately I saw a picture in my mind. There I was, grasping the controls of a ski boat while simultaneously hanging my leg out the side of the boat and trying to ski! It was quite comical. I started to laugh. “Lord, there’s no way I could ski and drive at the same time.” And then I realized…that was how I was living. I was trying to steer and power the direction of my life when I should have just been behind the boat—God— following His lead and using His power. It’s the only way to ski victoriously. And it’s the only way to live victoriously. That day, I realized a better, sweeter way—His way. “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28–31). I’m so thankful for God’s patience with me. He’s shown me a better way; He’s helped me realign my life with His will and shown me how to live in His strength, to let His unstoppable power and grace flow through me. I admit—I don’t always stay in the sweet spot. Left unchecked, my personality naturally runs ahead of God, but I’m learning to recognize when I leave Him so I can adjust my path and return. Praise God, He always welcomes me home. I don’t want to live anywhere except in the sweet spot—it’s where strivings cease, anxiety dissipates, and life becomes fulfilling and impactful. It’s not always easy, but in the midst of the tough stuff, I find unexplainable rest, peace, confidence, joy, strength, excitement, and freedom from all that weighs me down. continued on page 21 “Lord, there’s no way I could ski and drive at the same time.” And then I realized…that was how I was living. 12 kojministries.org Issue 3 2017 photography by Bill Doster
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