To Excel in Sport
by Lynda Scott
One of my daughter’s is a good athlete. We joined a local junior athletics club and have just completed our 5th season. My daughter really likes to throw, particularly shot put, and she’s really good at it.
Last month we were at the State Championships, with my daughter having qualified to compete in the shot put for her age group. We were in the hotel before we went to the athletics track and we sat down to pray. What happened next really moved me. My daughter, with the simplicity of a ten-year old child, thanked the Lord for the gifts she had received from Him, asked for His help to do her best, and then committed to using the gift she had to the glory of God. Her heart was completely in the right place and I knew God would honour her prayer.
It really got me thinking about athletes using their God-given gifts to bring glory to Jesus. It reminded me of what was said in the old English movie ‘Chariots of Fire’. Doing running, swimming, football, gymnastics, cycling, tennis, athletics, skiing or whatever sport you love, isn’t wrong. It’s about where your heart is. To be an elite athlete, many hours of training are required. But what’s your motivation? Is Jesus still first in your heart? Because that’s where He needs to be.
Today I wanted to encourage any elite athletes to embrace the gifts God has given you. Work hard and do what you do for the glory of God. Some days there will be victories and some days there will be losses. But, if your heart is set on the firm anchor of Jesus, then He’ll hold you throughout the ups and downs. Allow God to use you through your sport to bring glory to Him, in whatever opportunities He brings your way.
Likewise, for those of us who aren’t athletes, the same principle applies. In whatever you do embrace the gifts you have been given. Work hard and do whatever you do for the glory of God.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for the gifts You’ve given me. I commit to using those gifts for Your glory. Help me to represent You well in all that I do. In Your Name we pray, Amen.
Lynda Scott was first introduced to Ellel Ministries at a conference led by Peter and Fiona Horrobin in 1996 when she was miraculously healed following a devastating accident. Lynda has continued her association with Ellel Ministries over the years and has recently written her story “Lynda: From Accident & Trauma to Healing & Wholeness.” She lives in Australia with her husband Leigh and 3 children, who are all at school. She works in a local health clinic, as well as helping her husband with the administration of their beef cattle farm.
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