FCA: The Relentless Devotional For CompetitorsExemplo

Losing to Win

Sarah Roberts

READY:

“…I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me...” – Galatians 2:19-20

SET:

As athletes we love to compete, and as competitors we hate to lose. We work so relentlessly each day preparing, conditioning and working hard so that in the end we can say that we won. As competitors, we need to remember that our happiness should not depend on whether or not we lose a game or match, but whether or not we have lost ourselves to Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis once said, "Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose." Jesus says it this way, "Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

The ONLY true happiness is when we lay down our own desires, plans and dreams and pick up the relationship with Jesus that will never go away. If we focus our time and efforts on being more like Christ, then when we do lose, we still have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Because let’s face it, we will lose games, but we can still have the love and joy of Christ. We will lose matches, but we can still win with Christ. As athletes, we want our joy to come from the Giver of Life, not the results on a scoreboard.

GO:

1. What things should you change to better handle defeat?
2. How can you lose games but win with Christ?
3. In what areas do you need to “lose” in order to gain with Christ?

WORKOUT:

Mark 8:36
John 10:10
Romans 8:31

OVERTIME:

Lord, help me lose my life, my dreams and my desires so that I can find yours. Help me find my joy in what you offer as my Lord and Savior. Amen.