FCA Rise Devotional For CompetitorsSample

Play for ONE

READY:

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

SET:

There is a saying in sports people use to keep one humble from fans or to protect their hearts from critics: “Don’t read the paper too much.” So many times we perform our sport for the people but get disappointed, frustrated, and upset when fans turn to critics. We are playing for the praise of people instead of the purpose of God. We were created by God, for God, to do great things because of God.

These feelings of heartache and disappointment can overwhelm us, because the expectations we put on people are the expectations we should have from God. We should expect God to watch us and love us whether we won or lost. When we play, coach, and cheer for our Audience of One, we perform out of love for Him, not love from Him.

So let’s put down the newspapers and pick up the Bible and be completely satisfied with how we play, because we have played according to the Word not the World.

GO:

1. How does playing for the praise of people lead you to feeling?
2. How do you think God feels when you play the sport for which He gave you the talent?
3. What do you need to do in order to keep your focus on the purpose of God instead of the praise of people?

WORKOUT:

• Matthew 6:1
• 1 John 4:18
• 1 Corinthians 10:31

OVERTIME:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the talents You have given me and the passion for the sport I love so much. I know I can get caught up in performing for people, but I really want to play for You and for Your glory. Amen.