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How can a Christian athlete relate to the lyrics of the Christmas song, "The Little Drummer Boy"?

Those of us who are not paid professional athletes can relate to having nothing of great earthly value to give to the King. However, we can also relate to this boy's desire to present his talent as a gift to honor the baby King.

Pardon the omission of the "pa-rumpa-pum-pum-pums" but here is what the boy offered and how it was received.

"Shall I play for you?  On my drum.

Mary nodded.

The ox and lamb kept time.

I played my drum for him.

I played my best for him.

Then he smiled at me.

Me and my drum."

This boy offered his talent as a sacrifice of praise.

Have you chosen to do that when you enter competition?  Do you choose to do that as you enter a practice session?  If so, have you experienced what 1924 Olympic sprinter Eric Liddell did, as immortalized in "Chariots of Fire"?  He said, "God made me for a purpose... But he also made me fast.  And when I run, I feel his pleasure."

"Then he smiled at me."

We love playing and competing, so it hardly feels like a sacrifice, yet we must offer our efforts as a sacrifice of praise to our Creator.  Then we too can feel his pleasure.

Psalm 150 says that we should praise the Lord with the timbrel and dance.  Can we also praise him with the jump shot, the corner kick and the curve ball?  There was a little boy with a drum who would say yes.