Game, Set, and Walk Away?

"Winning is for a day, Sportsmanship is for a lifetime."

This is the motto for the New Hampshire Student Athletic Association, but their latest state title in tennis, didn't quite live up to this.

A New Hampshire teen walked off the court after the first set due to heckling from the crowd, and subsequently forfeited the match and the title. Her own coach acknowledged that dealing with the hostile crowds is an integral part of sports. One of the conclusions you can draw from this is, "Should the girl be involved in organized athletics if she cannot take criticism, even if that criticism is coming from the spectators?"

In the last few years most kids involved in sports are receiving verbal abuse from their own coaches, which is wrong. But the heckling and booing from the crowd has been a staple in sports since the beginning of time.

So the question I asked myself of this tennis teen, "Was she not tough enough?"

When it comes to the questioning of toughness, this led me to the life of the Apostle Paul, who I have been teaching about in the Book of Romans at church.

The Apostle Paul wasn't exactly a "holy roller" when God called him to the mission field. In fact he was the complete opposite:

As for Saul (Paul), he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
(Acts 8:3)

Paul's dramatic conversion happened on the road to Damascus, where God got a hold of him and blinded him for three days.

As Paul began his ministry and calling to follow Christ and preach, he faced many obstacles:

Following his arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was sent to Rome (story in Acts 21 and 28). Paul was released from prison allowing further missionary work, rearrested, imprisoned again in Rome, and then beheaded outside the city.

The Apostle Paul's message and mission throughout every obstacle was the same:

1. He was grateful for his salvation and went wherever God sent him to tell others what Christ had done for him/

2. Paul's hearts desire was to do the will of Him that sent him, at all times, and at all costs.

Those of you who read this post and are living in a different country may face the same obstacles as Paul did, so I encourage you to read the Book of Romans which is written by Paul for insights such as these:

1. Practical truths for living as a believer

2. Teaches us patience in trouble

3. How to walk in the Spirit

4. Trusting God in present difficulty to bring us hope for future glory

God calls His people to walk in wisdom. Wisdom is knowing how to apply the truth that God has revealed to us. The Holy Spirit will train us to practice wisdom and discipline that will lead to the fullness of the life that Jesus has promised us.

God's instructions to Moses were simple, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

When you choose to follow Christ remember:

When we live in His presence through the power of the Holy Spirit, He gives us peace and rest.

For more scripture reading of God's encouraging Word, checkout: www.biblegateway.com

And for some great books on the Apostle Paul and commentaries for the Book of Romans, checkout: www.ivpress.com