The Athlete for Christ

“And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” – 2 Timothy 2:5.
Paul described athletes as those who abide by the rules to receive the crown and the victory. Athletes spend most of their time training and preparing for the one competition. However, those who try to cheat and don’t train are the ones who won’t succeed and receive the crown. This is because when they get to the competition, they fail because their bodies aren’t trained and prepared. They tried to cut corners, but in the end, they crashed and burned out of a lack of preparation. This is where God’s timing and the journey are so important.
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8.
God wants you to get to that competition which represents your calling and destiny. If you don’t allow God to train you and mature you throughout your journey, you won’t get to your calling and destiny at the full measure if at all. Why? Because God won’t stick you in a place where you aren’t ready for. Only those who go out of God’s timing and cut corners are the ones who get to that place and fail. Therefore, enjoy the journey and enjoy the seasons of training that God has planned out for you. You may see 10 steps of your path ahead, but God has already planned 10,000 steps ahead of you. Only you can go off that track by following your own plan. Remember but don’t be discouraged, training isn’t the easiest thing. This is because when athletes train, they exercise their bodies stretching their muscles to their limits. They are always pushing themselves to the next heights and limits. God will push you too. It won’t feel good, but it is highly necessary. So, be encouraged knowing that God’s desire is to help you grow and push you to heights you never thought you could reach and only through Christ you are able to reach them. To be an athlete for Christ, let God train you so that when you get to your calling, you will succeed rather than fail, and you will receive your crown of victory. What is this crown of victory? Look at this verse.
“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25.
People chase fame, glory, titles, wealth, and all these worldly things which are all perishable. We chase after the imperishable things which is God. God has His people here because He has given them the assignment to reach the lost people of this world so that they may be saved and enter His Kingdom. He desires this so very much. Therefore, when we depart from this world to go home with Jesus, the only things coming with us are the people that we reached and accepted Jesus. That is the imperishable reward for wealth and titles will disappear but the people you guide to Jesus will come home. So overall, be an athlete for Christ. Good athletes are the ones who spend all their time training and preparing for the one competition. They don't cut corners but discipline themselves. They are always stretching themselves and pushing themselves forward but not going too far where they hurt themselves. Therefore, let God push you past your natural and follow His timing. Let Him train you and stretch for your destiny.