Warriors in Christ

Gideon was a great warrior who stunned the Midiantites. For years, they had oppressed the Israelites. They would arrive during harvest season and leave with their harvest from the farmlands. Gideon did not see himself as a warrior, but God, on the other hand, saw a different side to Gideon and knew He could use him. Just like God wants to use you as well and He is always with you.

A godly athlete trains hard with discipline, like a warrior. A godly athlete endures pain and fatigue. As the great track star and Olympic champion Eric Liddel said, "God takes pleasure in seeing us use the talents and strengths that He has given us." It all comes from Him. But we do it with grace and good sportsmanship. We do it with respect for the humanity of our opponents.

As a Christian athlete and teammate, no matter the obstacles you face we still get to love show love to our opponents. Although we want to outwork and outdo them, still show them love. That “love” for Christians means, servant love, agape, unconditional. Gideon had right to defeat the Midianites, just as you have a right to compete and defeat your opponents. Remember, do it with great sportsmanship and love. 

With the Great Commandment, Jesus emphasized that we are to love God and love our neighbor. And who is our neighbor? Your coaches, teammates, peers, family—yes, it's everyone.

So in the sense that we are warriors for Christ, Christians who happen to be athletes competing hard.