Push On

02 April, 2013

"I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should."
1 Corinthians 10: 27

As a collegiate swimmer and triathlete, I understand the importance of working towards a goal. Time, energy, and commitment is essential for achievement, and no matter how hard I work each day there's always room for improvement. Ever since I was an young swimmer at age ten, I've been attending practices for up to four hours a day. Swimming became my life, chlorine became my perfume, and qualifying for national meets was my mission.

In Philippians 3:12-13, Paul says "I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed... I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ, is calling us."

To stay on the Pepperdine swim team, I have an obligation to go to the required practices in order to perform well at the meets, and I do my best to represent Pepperdine athletics with integrity. Drinking alcohol, eating junk food, or skipping workouts will not help me fulfill my athletic dreams. Living the Christian life is no different; we are pressing on towards the goal of furthering the Lord's message in the name of Jesus, and cleansing our thoughts, desires, and actions to fit the likeness of Christ is our objective. Laying aside anything harmful or distracting from our faith is essential. Paul gave up family, friends, and freedom in order to grow closer in his walk with Christ (Phil. 3:9), and we must understand that letting go of anything hindering our Christian lifestyle is our calling.

Setting aside time in our crowded schedules for prayer and Bible study is crucial, just as serious athletes follow a strict training regimen. His Word is our nourishment, giving us the strength to perform the work He has called us to do. We must cleanse away our pride to serve as empty vessels to be filled with the Holy Spirit, much like athletes must rid themselves of unhealthy living and laziness.

Michael Phelps didn't take a single day off for six years leading up to the Beijing olympics. Our walk with God should be no different, and the Christian faith is no joke; offering our time morning and evening to deepen a relationship with our creator is nothing to take lightly. As an athlete works to perfect their physical skills, Christians work toward perfection of complete dependence on the strength of God.

We are spiritual athletes, except instead of working to build up our own strength, we're working to build His.