Praising after the battle - Pierre Spies

I saw this tweet this morning by Springbok and Blue Bulls rugby player, Pierre Spies. Pierre is known for being vocal about his faith in Jesus Christ. 

Keeping a balance between praising during battle is a challenge for all athletes who believe. The emotions of the battle, the emotions of the results, win or loose! That's the challenge. Will I praise you win or loose? Will I still praise you in the morning or the evening? 

What is special though about this picture he posted for me is that it includes players of both teams, win or loose, honouring and praising God after the battle. In Acts 1:7-8 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8 NIV)

The question though should be what leads athletes to be able to praise together after a battle, win or loose. 

The question should be were you praising God before the battle or was it just about destruction of the other person. 

The question should be were we praising God in the battle, in the heat of the battle, when we often loose total perspective and our minds in the moment. 

How we do battle for me is more a reflection of our faith, our walk with the Lord, an example to others, a guide to young and old athletes, a compass for the spectator and supporter, rather than just by going down on our knee after the battle. 

Yes this may be seen to watering down the statement Pierre and the other players were making, and that is not the purpose or the point to this post. The point however is are we reflecting the image of Christ, all the time. Are we reflecting the attitude of Christ toward others, all the time. Or do we drop down on our knee 'to praise' but have not shown our praise in the heated battle, how I conduct myself within the respect to the opposition, the rules, ethics and FairPlay of the game? Again I don't know Pierre well at all, so I cannot comment whether this true to him and the other players in the picture. I trust, having heard him share his testimony, however it is true! 

As athletes, and especially athletes that are on prime time viewing and in sports with massive following, you have a huge responsibility on how you praise! As coaches and athletes we have an enormous responsibility, but not only the popular big main stream sports, but in all sporting interactions. 

May our yes be our yes, may our praise be our praise, always. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22 NIV)

Being Able

This morning I got to run a 10k which is only my 5th one of all time. The last number of years has been a journey though.  I am constantly greatful amazed about this constant journey, ‘being healthy because I am able’. 

I posted this on Instagram after the race this morning.  

Rising beyond - moving from Saturday to Sunday

'Stuck on Saturday, grieving and caught up in being disheartened, to Sunday where Jesus had risen. The shame of Saturday to the victory of Sunday.' These were just some of the words of senior Pastor Riaan Niemand (Eastside Community Church) this morning as we celebrated the risen King, Jesus Christ. As he shared about the people around when Jesus was crucified, when He hung on the cross, when He was placed in the tomb. Had his mission been a failure? 

How often are we caught up in the Saturdays of our lives and don't move on to the celebrations of the Sunday. Move from Saturday with no hope to Sunday full of life, revelation and success. As Jesus rose in the Sunday he had conquered death, He had moved, He had fulfilled prophecy and faith in Him. 

However making the move from Saturday to Sunday in our lives requires a faith step. A step that is difficult into an unknown.  An often massive step. 

The difference though in the resurrection was that for some, like Mary the faith was not invisible. For Thomas it was tangible - 'put your finger in my hands and side'. For others it was still invisible because they found out through testimony of those who physically saw. 

In sport and coaching it can and often is so similar. It requires FAITH. Faith in the coaching process. Faith in your talents and abilities, God given. Faith in an unknown outcome, but a wished result. Faith that what you are doing will get the positive outcome in performance. 

However too often I have also seen athletes and coaches not willing to move from Saturday to Sunday but still expect the same outcome. The same people though wish positive successful outcome. Talent is there. Ability is there. Wish for the feared outcome is there. BUT taking the leap of faith, the step of faith. The part where I need to actually do something from my side. 

Our challenge as athletes, coaches, administrators need to make the move, take the step, believe, But we need to actually make an effort. Do the work, do the preparation, do the execution. Ultimately we need to move from Saturday to Sunday.  There has to be movement, there has to be a move. People need to move, MAKE A MOVE. 

God through Jesus moved from Friday to Saturday to Sunday. He became the risen King who fulfilled the prophecy, who acted out his faith, the faith in is father God, ABBA Father. 

As these words say, a lot can happen in three days. Are you allowing it to happen. 

A blessed Risen Day. 

Reason for the season

May we celebrate and appreciate the gift we have received