Set 

Is there a teammate you would help out no matter what time they call you? Do you love your teammates? Can you love your rival?

It seems to be a big ask, but God has created you to be radically loving. Love, after all, is the most powerful force in existence. Love is what led to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (John 3:16).

The Father’s deep love for us and His desire to have a growing relationship with us is our greatest example of love. Psalm 108:4 says, “For your faithful love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Higher than the heavens – that is a lot of love.

The reality of all teams, including rivalries, is they are made up of athletes who are more similar to you than different. Each athlete on the team has the same basic desires. They have the same joys and issues, hopes and dreams, and, in the end, they want to experience the joy of the game as much as you do.

As a Christian competitor, you get to choose who you are going to be and how you respond to the things the game (and life) throws at you. If you say you are a follower of Jesus, then the choice has been made. The command of 1 Corinthians 16:14 could not be more clear. You are to practice, compete, study, hang out and everything else in love.