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)
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