"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play…it is war minus the shooting."
A new name
To him who overcomes, I will give him some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it Rev 2:17
As I write this, the papers are full of tributes to Mohammed Ali as he celebrates his 65th birthday. He changed his name from Cassius Clay, which he described as his "slave-name".
But God promises us a new name as part of the all the great things he has planned for those who love him. Revelation also promises us a new heaven and a new earth. God has great things in store for us!
But there is a condition, the new name is for those who overcome. As sportspeople we know something about overcoming. It often involves battling. Keeping going when it is easier to give up. How often are game won in the last minute because a team refused to give up.
As we represent Jesus Christ in our sport, there will be many times when we want to give up, when it seems too hard to keep going. Don't give up! Remember the reward that God has promised to us if we keep going and overcome.