For Christians in Sport

When I played professional football for 18 years I saw and experienced the futility of man's achievements. The day's headlines and victory was fish and chip paper the next. Trophies and medals are nothing, sportsmen and women! Be good at what you do. In fact do all to the glory of God, even drinking a cup of water. But the point is, 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break  in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also' (Matt. 6:19-21). Professional sportspeople live on fear. Fear of losing; losing the game, losing their fitness, fear of losing their place in the team or rankings or their livelihood. So Christians in sport, work hard to win, play for the prize but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven where the real prize lies and which no-ones can take from you. Then when your heart is where it should be, you can really play your sport with no fear!