Those of you that know me know I am not into professional sports with perhaps two exceptions, soccer, and American Ninja Warrior. Soccer because Christopher played for so many years and I just got used to being around it, but recently American Ninja Warrior (ANW) because it takes every ounce of strength and every bit of mental and emotional discipline to accomplish the task. Like Olympic athletes, they will practice for an entire year, for hours, every day to make their bodies do the impossible and both men and women, large and small are able to do the impossible with enough focus and training. Paul gives young Timothy the same challenge
"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." 2 Timothy 2:5
I know many of you are thinking Tim doesn't even like sports yet here we go with another sports idea from scripture. All I can say is if the scripture goes there I must go there too!
The word Paul uses for "competes" doesn't mean simple amateur competition but like ANW he is referring to someone who has given their lives to train, to be disciplined mentally, to emotionally be prepared, to take on any challenge at any time. Paul is saying that as Christians we must be disciplined in our study of the word, prayer, growing in the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Think about it. How many battles mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually do you face every day? How many attacks do you have to ward off? How many comments and thoughts do you have to overcome? Without real training and discipline, it would be easy to be worn down and out and rather than being an overcomer, to become overcome. It is sad to say but I see it all the time. It starts innocent enough, I'm too tired to read, pray, get to church or the kids have to do this or be here, or go there I just don't have time. Then marriage fall apart, kids run away from God, they have sports, dance, cheerleading or whatever but are not prepared to be a success in life. Adults give their lives to the job, their club, or their kids and then have nothing because God has had no place in their life. They have lived and amateur walk with God and are easily and quickly defeated.
Life can be tough but the people we celebrate are the ones who make it through the bad places, the tough times, the challenges to their integrity. We celebrate the ones whose kids are walking with God as they grow older. The word "competes" that Paul uses, is suggestive of living life always being prepared for the battle, always either training to win or winning the crown. The crown is the presence of God, the successful life, the faithful family. Our walk with Christ is not for the weak because, in our weakness, He gives strength, if we are willing! Move from the amateur to the professional ranks begin to compete with the drive to win.
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