Photo: Enigma-Sports

"Football is not a matter of life and death, it is more important than that."

Bill Shankly, Liverpool Football manager

Strong and courageous

These words from my morning reading seemed to jump off the page. The context is David giving Solomon his final instructions (before David dies) and Solomon takes on the task of building the temple. David was a warrior who faced danger and death on many occasions when strength and courage were essential. Solomon is only going to supervise the erection of a building yet David feels he needs to be strong and courageous.

This summer I have been to 5 Diamond League athletics events and been privileged to talk to a number of athletes. I have seen many situations when athletes needed to be strong and courageous.

Bouncing back after a bad race;
Dealing with disappointment of an injury when you feel in the best shape of your life;
Keeping going after a disappointing performance in the trials removes what had been the focus of the year;
Seeing lesser athletes prepare for the World Championships because you were injured at the wrong time of the season;
Running a race in a way that is outside your comfort zone because the coach wants you to;
Keeping going without a sponsor;
Not getting into the races you feel your performances have merited; being put in a B race;
Trusting the coach against your own judgment;

Some of the above list can be very hard to bear. Being strong and courageous is the last thing you feel like. Running might even seem a bit trivial compared to building a temple! But if God has given you the talent and placed you in the world of sport, then he wants you to represent him there by being strong and courageous.

And remember God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work…is finished.

PS If you have time look up some of the other Bible verses where people are called to be “strong and courageous”. Deuteronomy 31:6-7,23; Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18; 10:25; 1 Chronicles 22:13, 28:20, 32:7

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