Dedication: An FCA Devotional For CompetitorsSample

Day 1: Consecrated For Christ Ready: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5 (NIV) Set: Having spent so much time in and around the world of sports, I’ve learned the most successful coaches and athletes are those who are truly dedicated to their craft. It’s true in all walks of life, but I believe it bears itself out most clearly in athletics. Once the competition begins, pure talent only goes so far; at some point, those who dedicated the most time and energy to training, planning and preparing have the advantage. Similarly, Joshua wanted the Israelites to prepare. In Joshua 3:5 (NIV), he instructed them to get ready to be used by God: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” The word “consecrate” is interesting. It means “to set apart; designate or dedicate for a special purpose.” Consecration is a complete surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Put it all together, and that verse is saying to surrender our lives and dedicate all we have to the Lord, for a day will come when He’ll do far beyond what we believe is possible. It’s in Christ, in living and competing for Him, that our true identity and fulfillment can be found. Live by this belief: We can all be Christ’s ambassadors for His Kingdom, consecrated to fulfill His special purposes here on Earth. – Shane Williamson Go: 1. What does preparation look like in your sport? 2. Do you invest as much time in physical training as you do spiritual training? 3. How can you best prepare yourself to be ready to do all God has intended for your life? Workout: 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 1:13 Overtime: Father, physical training comes naturally to me as a competitor. I know how it impacts my performance. Please shift my mindset to understand how much more valuable spiritual training is for me. Allow my growth in You to be the catalyst to everything You want to do in and through me. Amen. This text appeared in FCA Magazine . To learn more about the magazine and to subscribe, click [ here. ](http://bit.ly/18watsonsubyv)