Sports Motivations For Life

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

Annual Sports Meet of Shillong Manipuri Students' Union (SMSU) on 20th and 21st April, 2013 :: Pix - SMSU

"If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules" 2Tim.2:5.

"Your life is more than your winning of sports. Life is more precious than silver or gold. Always have a game plan – plan for life!" Let's not over-emphasize the bad aspects of sport but let's focus on the positive side of good sports as well as success life in Christ. Some people think God's work is finding people who are having a good time than telling them they are not allowed to do it. The truth is God's way is the most fun when we live by His rules. Looking at some of the problems of sports, it is no wonder that the leaders of our churches not so long ago discouraged sporting activity as 'ungodly' and in some cases prohibited sports.

Sports can teach us great lessons that will develop our Christian character. Sport has many virtues that can help a young person develop in mind, body and soul. We certainly have to be aware of the pitfalls, but enjoy the benefits God had provided us.

A winner always plays by the rules of the games. When someone is cheating against us, fair play is very important. But the quality of fairness comes in the measures that we are fair to others. Being truthful, keeping our promises, being empathetic, reporting cheats, and playing but the rules are marks of a winner.

Competing as hard as you can is totally fair, as long as you play within the confines of the rules. You may win or lose by hundred points, but don't scream 'It's not fair!' if both team agreed to play under the same rules. What is unfair is when you try to win or lose outside of the rules. You may choose to keep the score under control that may be wise. When you commit a foul, you must be honest. In the long run it will pay off. 'The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but He delights in accurate weights' Pro.11:1.

A decade's ago we hear about Julius Erving, a man who made history in the National Basketball Association in America. Once Julius was interviewed on numerous occasions, and on one of those he stated, "Above all play clean". And he continued, "What you do physically or technically is not as important as what is in your heart." These are very wise words for any athletes and also those who serve the LORD.

We all want to win the prize, come what may; many times it could even be at the cost of cheating a little bit. We would like to be better than we really are, but without making the extra effort. We would also like to be mature men and women, who believe in a spiritual manner, bearing fruits in abundance and knowing how to triumph in every difficult situation. However, when we consider how to achieve this, there are basic rules that are not so appealing to us. Perhaps it is because we think that reading the Bible, praying, evangelizing, and serving and helping others etc. All seems rather boring. But we cannot take the prize if we do not compete according to the rules.

In the entire Bible you will not find that tells about real winner or real losers in the Christian perspectives of competition. God has nothing to do with your win, lost or draw, because your "Identity in Christ" is more valuable than the mere games and sports. In the first letter, Apostle Paul encouraged to young Timothy that, "Sports has some values on physical but godliness has values for our present life and including our Eternal values of life" 1Tim.4:8. The scripture is very clear for the Christian competitors, to always guard your personal identity in Christ first and foremost - in everything you do or say! It doesn't say to win or to lost, but "do well at your best for the benefits and multiplication."

The dream of every athlete is to win the prize.
The dream of every mother is to give birth
The dream of every student is to pass the exams
The believers of Jesus should dream for the prize for Eternal Life through our Faith and Hope in Christ!

We cannot compete according to the rules if our heart is not in it. What is the motivation of our life? Why do we do what we do? Why do we study, work or practice? What is our reason for reading the Bible, for serving others or working in the church? There exists a serious danger of doing things, even the spiritual things, for self-centered reasons (Matt. 5-7). Many times we pray witness or assist in the church only to be seen and admired by others. When people speak well of us, and all goes well, we are content and gained confidence; but when difficult times come, and we receive criticism instead of admiration… the preacher does not want to preach any more, and the singers or the praise and worship teams does not want to continue in their leadings! The cry goes out; 'No-one appreciates for all my contributions toward the LORD'S ministry!' And so then, do you do things only in order to receive praise?

Worship is much more than just music. Worship is a lifestyle. "The heart of worship is giving you yourself completely to God. Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about" Rom.6:13. Why are you doing what you are doing? Are you doing only for the salary, are you doing because you worry to lose your work, or for department? As believers, if you begin to do anything unto the LORD, whether big or small, work at it and turn it into worship. It doesn't matter' any work can become an act of worship if you do it enthusiastically for the love of God!

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the LORD rather than for people" Col.3:17, 23.

We all run the serious risk of falling into self-centered motivation. We want people to admire us; we appreciate it when people look up to us! And God says that this attitude is of the world and the Devil. Our only motivation should be to seek to give God the glory and honor. He is the only One who deserves it. So then we should not have the problem of whether others appreciate us or not. If we don't seek to glorify God as our main priority in life, it's because our hearts are not pure, and what is there will end up destroying us instead of saving us. The Word of God says in Matt.5:8, "Blessed are pure in heart for they shall see God".

"One of the most important things in life is what we have within our hearts' that matter most to God not by the people"