Weak or Strong?

Ready:

“If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message.” -- 2 Corinthians 12:6 NLT

Set:

I vividly remember going to a church service early in my freshman year of college and hearing a sermon that troubled me as an athlete. It was about how Christ is strong in us when we are weak. But I’m an athlete, I thought. Aren’t I supposed to be strong already? I felt that I had stumbled upon a big dilemma for Christian athletes.

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul makes an interesting point about strength. He had qualifications. He had status. He had accomplishments — just like an athlete. He even says, “If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth.” Talk about having some confidence in his strength.

But the point is that he doesn’t boast his strength or abilities because his own human strengths are not what he wants to get credit for. Likewise, we don’t need credit for our strength as athletes. It’s okay to feel and become strong, but what we delight in should always be the light of Christ that people can see in the way we compete and live, whether everything is going right or not. That’s what God wants to see and rewards.

Go:

1. How does knowing that God wants you to focus on Him first and not your physical capabilities change your perspective as an athlete?
2. Can you think of any instances where your desires to honor God and to be a strong athlete might conflict? What would you do in that situation?
3. What are some ways you can let Christ shine through you in your life?

Workout:

2 Corinthians 12:10; Psalm 73:26

Overtime:

“Lord, thank You for the talent You’ve given me to play sports and to become strong, but help me not to be prideful of my own strength. I want people to see You in me, so let Your strength be what people see, Amen."

Alicia Cardie