How to Be a Happy Sportsperson: Game DaySample

If you want to be happy at the end of today's game or competition, the typical requirements are that you do well and are victorious. A pre-match motivational talk will likely say that if you want to succeed, you must be self-confident because a winning performance demands self-confidence. This perspective may seem a long way from Jesus' claim that you are “blessed” by being “poor in spirit”. In other words, Jesus is saying, 'if you want to be happy, be humble.' But how can a humble player perform with the self-belief demanded by successful competitors? The key to resolving this tension is to grasp what kind of humility Jesus means by “poor in spirit”. Jesus is not referring to modesty regarding your playing ability or that you must pull back from being as competitive as possible. Instead, he is describing a far more foundational and spiritual experience. To find true happiness, you must begin by being humble before God. The Bible says you are morally bankrupt before God because you have rejected your creator's rule over your life. The good news is that Jesus' death on the cross paid the penalty for your rebellion and that you can receive God's forgiveness by believing that Jesus Christ died in your place. Humility means being prepared to tell God you are sorry for your rebellion. It means thanking Jesus for taking the punishment you deserve. This humble faith gives you a fresh start, living under God's leadership. Jesus says that you will enter “the kingdom of God”. The Christian is under new management, living under God's rule. The first and last characteristics of a Christian disciple are described in the context of finding true happiness because you are a member of God’s kingdom, and your inheritance is a beautiful eternity filled with everlasting and unbroken joy – “the kingdom of heaven.” Being under God’s leadership means you can be confident that he will be fully committed to supporting you in every aspect of life. God will be helping you today. He will be with you before, during and after today’s sport. Indeed, you will never again enter your sport without God being present with you and being your greatest supporter. And fundamentally, you know you are secure for eternity. If you think that doing well and winning today will be great, imagine what it will be like when you return, one day, to your true heavenly home club and country. Therefore, regardless of the outcome today, you can be sure that God made you, loves you, saved you and will go on loving you and drawing you closer to Him through your sport. You are set for today’s competition with that foundational truth in mind. You can now look at your teammates, cast an eye over the opposition, and reflect once more on the talents that your loving king and creator gave you. Then believe in your ability and give it your best shot. Of course, you can’t predict the result since this is sport. Yet, regardless of the outcome, you can be sure of this: God made you, loves you, saved you and will go on loving you and investing in you daily throughout your sporting career. Here is real happiness for the humble citizen under God's management in the ups and downs of sporting life. ## Pray for yourself Dear Lord, Help me view myself rightly before you – humble before you. I am sorry for the way I sin against you. Thank you that despite my rebellion, you sent Jesus, whose death has paid the penalty for all my past, present and future sins. Thank you for the wonderful promise of entering your kingdom – now and then more fully in eternity. Help me today, this game day, to remember this wonderful truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ## Pray for your friends. Finally, take a few minutes to pray for your sports friends and colleagues - that God will open a door for his message in your club or team.