A Bible Devotional from Grant

Dear Friends, Family, and Readers:

I was going to write a hotel review blog post, but sadly that will have to wait until next time.  After reading the devotional booklet our church, Saipan Community Church, gives away free, I began to write a sports related devotional.  I have already copyrighted one devotional book I wrote titled Biblical Lessons from Hunting & Fishing. I have been in the process for a while now of writing sports devotionals for an as of yet untitled devotional book.  This devotion I am pasting into this blog will be copyrighted, but you can use with permission.  Today's Daily Bread devotional December 27, 2011 mentioned verses from 2nd Corinthians Chapter 4. I was also encouraged to post this devotional due to being at Gold's Gym and watching a debate between sports analysts about players kneeling to pray after touch downs. Here is my devotional essay that sprung from The Daily Bread.  I apologize in advance for having no pictures with this blog entry, pictures are always fun.

Determination & Setting Goals

Hard work, determination, and setting goals can help athletes achieve

success in their endeavors, but sometimes success is achieved by

viewing the world differently than the athlete next to you.

            Athletes are often encouraged by coaches and trainers to set goals for themselves.  These goals are important because they allow us to see, even feel the progress we have made. We can set goals that are easily reached and that we can touch by focusing on things of the world like scholarships, trophies, medals, etc. The most important goals, however, are the ones that cannot be seen or felt.  These goals are such that they turn our achievements into legend.  In 2^nd Corinthians 4:18, Paul talks briefly of this saying, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (New International Version).  If we fix our eyes on the things that are seen or felt, like the proverbial carrot on a string in front of a donkey, we lose sight of what will last for the ages.  In many cases, trophies and medals are awarded every year and each year someone new receives the award.  Records, however, sometimes last decades, sometimes they become eternal.  In Christ, our obligation is to bring God’s program or will to earth in a way that changes the lives of those around us resulting in eternal change. 

            The hardest thing about bringing the kingdom down to earth is that it requires the transformation of our minds.  We know that transformation is required from Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV).  This transformation of our mind is that we align ourselves with the will of God.  The will of God is that we help others achieve the eternal through acceptance of Christ’s word. In other words, it requires us to be set apart, selfless servants.  The athletic world around us tells us to be competitive, achieve glory by hard work and determination, and let nothing stop you in your routine.  Overcoming this battle is one of the sole (soul) issues we as Christians face on a daily basis.

            Routine can be dangerous for anyone. Like the donkey chasing after the carrot we can lose sight of the fact that we are chasing after something that is unachievable or at the very least unrealistic.  We are so driven to get the carrot in front of us that we forget about one another and how to help those around us in their hurt.  I really enjoyed it when Pastor Abe of Saipan Community Church shared the statement, “If you can’t change the situation, let the situation change you.”  His sentiment is exactly what helps us break with the routine of this world and converge on the world of the spiritual in Christ Jesus.  My prayer for all athletes in the world is that we would no longer strive for individual goals, but goals that are aligned with God’s purpose. That purpose being one another. 

 Questions for Discussion

1. What do you get from these verses?  What are your goals currently?  How are people around you hurting?  Have you bothered to ask them?

2. We cannot always change our situation, but we can let the situation change us.  Is it possible that we try to ascend to God’s position of authority when we are led astray by our own goals?  Read Philippians 3:21 for perspective on God’s power to transform and bring things “under control”. 

3. For perspective on what our goals should be read: 2^nd Corinthians 5:9, Philippians 3:12, and Colossians 2:2.   Do you find it odd that in 2^nd Corinthians 5:9 Paul tells us what our goal is as Christians?  How does this change your perspective on goal setting?

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