"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play…it is war minus the shooting."
Appointed and equipped
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12Gospel ministry is not easy. Representing Jesus Christ in the world of sport, which can be a godless place, is hard. In 1 Timothy we read that God has appointed us to his service. For many of us that service will be in the world of sport.
Thankfully God has not called us and appointed us and then left us to get on with it. There are three things that God has given us: strength (v12), mercy (v13) and grace (v14) to equip us for service.
As we feel weak, we can rely on God’s strength. As we are conscious of our sinfulness we can be thankful for his forgiveness and mercy. And all the time we can be thankful for his grace – the undeserved favour that “was poured out abundantly” (v14) on us.
As Christians we do not see ourselves as those who have got life worked out and who go to share the secret with those poor lost sinners in the sports club. Rather we are people who struggle and who daily rely on God’s mercy, grace and strength and want to share God’s love with our friends so that they can access that same mercy, grace and strength that we rely on.
Guinea Pig images are copyright of Maverick Arts and used with permission. See http://www.shopwithmaverick.com