AthleteWord:
“Be STRONG in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy 2:1
READ
REFLECT
It’s time! The training is over. It’s time to compete. Competitors 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 championships are won. This is certainly true of external rewards, but the internal battle can be complete before the competition. We can compete as champions prior to “3-2-1-GO!”
Scripture 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 followers of Christ our place on the “Leaderboard” is secure. We are declared champions 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 be the champions God designed us to be.
Skill Work
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
