Reflection: The bigger picture

Throughout this devotion series, we’ve reflected on the way in which athletics can come down to the tiniest of margins, and how, without the proper preparation or hard work, athletes can’t expect to succeed in sport.

We also know that there is immense value in bodily training – not just for performance, but also because it has health benefits, it teaches us to be hard-working, determined, to persevere and to be able to receive feedback and take failure.

But today’s verses remind us that sport (or any other activity that takes up our time) should not be the priority. The pursuit of our Lord should be number one in our life. When we get to the end of our earthly life, God won’t care whether we skipped a long run, or a gym session. He isn’t going to care how fast we could run 100m, or how far we could throw a discus… or any other earthly and temporary accomplishment. God cares about what’s in our heart, and how we live for him.

Prayer:

God, I want you to be the centre of my life. In the busy-ness of my day to day, help me to centre my life on you and to prioritise you as my number one. Help me to always keep my achievements and earthly possessions in perspective, and to pursue you. Amen.