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"It matters a great deal who is going to win, but not at all who won"

Willie John McBride, Irish Rugby player

God's Chosen people

Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

As sportspeople we understand the importance of being chosen – and the devastating disappointment of not being chosen. I am sure that we have experienced both the elation and the disappointment of seeing our name on the list or not finding our name there.

In Beijing the GB Chef de Mission, described the British Olympic team as one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, adding that money could not buy you a place in it. I am sure that you have achieved things that money cannot buy and that you are rightly proud of your achievement.

However, nothing can compare with being in God’s team. Paul tells the Colossians that they have been chosen – and so have we. Moreover, we are also loved – although coaches and selectors may not always love their athletes!

It is so easy to be blasé about the fact that God loves us. Yet it is simply the most amazing fact of history that the great creator of the universe loves us and has chosen us. If that does not motivate you to train hard and put everything else in perspective, I am not sure what will.

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