STRICT TRAINING

I Cor. 9:25 All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  NLT

       It is easy to overlook the price athletics have to pay in order to be able to compete on a high level.  It takes a lot of sacrificial work and a commitment to it in order to be a good athlete.  Hours upon hours are spent in getting the body and mind ready to compete with others.  No matter the sport, there has to be a strict control over the body and mind.  There is no easy road to the top.  The harder an athlete trains, the better chance he has of being successful.

      An athlete is willing to make the sacrifices he needs to make because of a desire to be the best at what he does and to be a winner.  There is a constant drive to be the best, whether it be as a single or team competitor.  There is the focus on winning the prize set before him that keeps him on track.  Without the goal of winning and being the best at what he does before him, the athlete will quickly lose the drive to train and compete.

       What is true with athletes on earth is true in our walk with Christ.  We must see ourselves as heavenly athletes, in training to win the prize set out before us.  We must be willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to keep our souls in shape and fit for the Kingdom.  We must be committed to the training process, never losing sight of our goal of becoming all that we can be in Christ. 

       With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must learn self-control.  We must learn to avoid those things that would hinder our progress or destroy it.  We must learn to say no to temptations and yes to those things which help to build up our souls.  We must learn to persevere no matter how hard things may get or how much we want to give up.

     We must never take our eyes off of our goal, Jesus Christ.  We must press on with all the energy we have until He calls us home.  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus face-to-face.