I once watched a short documentary about professional athletes and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the amount of sacrifice that is required for that level of dedication to the game. It used to think that they just simple trained and exercised a lot. I now understand that it effects every aspect of their lives. Their diets are tailored, their schedules are strict and they are under contract to abstain from many other recreational sports to ensure they don’t get injured and disqualified. You can tell how much they love the game, by how much they are willing to sacrifice for it.
We have been going through this series, "Living Life in the Red Zone" from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."
This scripture is a reminder of the strict training that is required for those who aim to be victorious. This series has made me consider that if there are those who are "Red Zone Christians" then there are also those who are "Defense Christians." There are Christians who are making progress and about to score, but there are also those who always seems to be living on Defense. Here are a few examples of the difference between the two:
1. A Defense Christian is one who is always a victim to their circumstances. It’s always someone else’s fault.
2. A Red Zone Christian understands that although they can’t control everything that happens in the game, they can control their reaction to those circumstances.
1. A Defense Christian focuses on the "Dont’s" and the sacrifices.
2. A Red Zone Christian focuses on the "Do’s" and privileges.
1. A Defensive Christian lives with the pain of self-regret.
2. A Red Zone Christian only lives with the pain of self-discipline.
My daughter often sees me doing calf raises or lunges at home because I don’t have a gym membership. She often copies me and the other day she asked me, "Mommy, how do I know if it is exercise?" I responded to her, "You know it’s exercise if it hurts a little bit."
We know we are Red Zone Christians if our sacrifices for God hurt a little bit. Exercise stings but it also strengthens. Sacrifice a little sleep to spend more time with Him or time away from media to read the word. Shed a little flesh out of your diet and strengthen that spirit! Although it might not be easy, your discipline will turn into delight as you find yourself living victoriously in the Red Zone.
Thanks for reading,
Mel
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