ONE: FCA Reading Plan For CompetitorsSample

Befriend Your Limitations

By Amanda Tewksbury

READY: 

“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” – John 6:9

SET:

Is it easy for you to see your weaknesses in sport and in life solely as problems to be avoided? I’ve found this to be very true in the sports world. As a lefty basketball player, I avoided dribbling with my right hand at all costs because I felt weak as a player when I used it. I saw my limitation as something to be eluded. And don’t get me started on how many times I see players that I coach avoiding their weaknesses!

Jesus’ disciples during His ministry seemed to be no different. A large crowd of 5,000 men (not including women and children) followed the disciples and Jesus after a long day of ministry and arrived to their destination hungry. The disciples told Jesus, “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” They saw their limitations not as an opportunity to see God at work, but as a limitation that was a nuisance for them. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t agree.

Luke 9:14-17 tells us that Jesus had them divide up the people and that everyone was fed with the fish and loaves. There were even leftovers!  

If we see our limitations as an opportunity to improve and see more of God’s Kingdom of love and abundance at work, then there will be a shift of befriending our limitations instead of condemning them.  We’ll know they aren’t our enemies; they’re opportunities!

GO:

1. Identify one limitation in your life as an athlete and one limitation in your walk with Jesus that can motivate you to grow and see God at work.

2.  What are the gifts that you’ve already been given that you can thank God for today?

WORKOUT:

Luke 9:10-17

2 Corinthians 12:5-10

OVERTIME: 

“Lord Jesus, help me to see my limitations as chances to see more of You at work. In Your name, amen.”