CELEBRATE FREEDOM
“For you were called to freedom!” – Galatians 5
 
READ
Galatians 5:1-6
 
REFLECT
It’s time! The training is over.  We are free to compete.  As athletes we are tempted to think freedom is only possible when the competition ends.  We think it’s only after the final buzzer sounds the winner is crowned, and freedom is attained.  This is certainly true of external rewards, but the internal battle can be complete prior to the competition.  We can compete as winners prior to “3-2-1-GO!”
 
The Bible empowers us with this truth.  “Christ has truly set us free.  Now make sure you stay free.” (Galatians 5:1).  The pressure to perform attempts to rob us of the joy available in Christ.  When we become Christians our place on the “Leaderboard” is secure.  We are declared winners before one repetition is completed or one “no-rep” is yelled.  This sounds too good to be true, but that’s because our world doesn’t operate in this manner.  The pattern of our world only rewards work that is earned.  God’s way is much better.
 
With this mindset the competitor for Christ sees every rep as a prescribed “thank-you,” not a request for approval.  The pressure melts away when every rep is given to us as a pre-designed way of living through His strength.  We can simply celebrate who God made us to be.
 
RESPOND
1- Whose approval are you seeking today?  Friends, family, fans, your own?
2- Commit one of the verses below to memory so you can recite it prior to the first workout.
 
Competitor Words OF THE DAY
1 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬
2 – “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 2:1