FCA: The Relentless Devotional For CompetitorsSample

Born to Play

Marcellus Casey

READY:

“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-10

SET:

Athletes are born to play. Competition is the air that we breathe. It takes incredible risk to be an athlete. Everyone sees every move we make. There's always the risk of failure when we step into the arena of sports competition. So why do athletes keep coming back? Why not just stay comfortable in our lives and avoid the risk of the humiliation of mistakes or defeat? Most athletes would say that they are born for competition. There is a satisfaction from achieving success that is worth the risk of failure.

Well, the same is true in our spiritual lives. When we approach a Holy God for a relationship, most people know that we do not possess the perfection that it takes to please God. In order to continue in our pursuit of God, we have to rely on the fact that God will forgive us when we fail, and He will sustain in the risk of failure. We were born for a relationship with God. So why should we walk away when we fail? Take the risk because you were born to give Glory to God in everything you do, as His Masterpiece.

GO:

1. 1. What risks have you taken as an athlete? Were they worth it?
2. Do you have the same mentality toward your spiritual walk as you do athletics? How so?
3. Do you truly live like you believe Christ will pick you up if you fail?

WORKOUT:

2 Corinthians 12:9
1 Corinthians 10:31

OVERTIME:

Lord, give me the strength to live each day all out for you, no matter the risks. Help me have the faith to trust You are always there, ready to catch me if I fall.