Set 

For most of my life I have had a problem with these words: Just do your best. It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.

It always seemed to me that these words lack a competitive spirit, like something a mom says to her child who has no chance of winning. But it occurred to me recently how few things in sports are within our control. During a basketball game, I cannot control the referees, my opponents, or whether or not I have a record-breaking game. But I can control my attitude and my effort.

I cannot control every aspect of my performance or the results. Nor can I control the attitude and effort of others – only my own. That being true, I should only be judged by those things which I have complete control over – my attitude and effort during the game.

The same is true in life. What should my attitude be like? “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5). Effort? “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23)

Attitude and effort are personal choices that cannot be controlled by other people or circumstances without my permission. I have the sole responsibility to make sure they line up with the words of Christ and no one can change that.