Tag Archives: giving 100 percent

Form Without Faith

As a former athlete, there was nothing like game day, warming up in front of your opponents.  Depending upon the sport, there were certain matches that over before they began.  The team with the best form, technique and talent usually won.  Yet, form without faith is a losing recipe, costing several franchises in the past a championship.

Having a form of godliness but denying its power, 2 Timothy 3:5a.

There is a saying in profession sports that says the tape never lies.  This refers to players who have a tendency to take plays off, not giving 100 percent.  As a former coach, this wasn’t as easy to see.  Some players talk a good game, but crumbled under the pressure.  Meanwhile, some slacked off during practice, yet like Allen Iverson, when the lights came on, they rose to the challenge.  However, to endure for the long haul, form and faith must go hand and hand.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead, James 2:26.

As an adult, I can’t escape imperfection.  No mater how hard I try, some days my form is good, but my faith sucks.  Or in times of weakness, my faith is strong, but energy is lacking.  However, everyone must be careful of fulfilling 2 Timothy 3:5.  Godliness does not come from human effort, but in the spiritual transformation of a human heart.  Thus, when Christians begin to go through the motions of religion, they deny God’s power.  In view of this, don’t pretend everything is fine.  Rather, in humility, let the grace and mercy of God build you up so that your faith takes the form of spiritual fruit.

by Jay Mankus

You’ve Got To Bring It!

Survival of the fittest was coined by British philosopher Hebert Spencer after reading On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.  In reality, this term is an alternative way of saying natural selection.  However, from a modern translation, in order to survive and rise above others to become the cream of the crop, you’ve got to bring it every day.  Whether you are an administrator, athlete, blue collar worker or a student with great expectations, you can’t take a class, day or play off.

As a former professional athlete and high school coach, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize if someone is dogging it.  Just take of peek to observe students walking down the hall to use the restroom.  Those walking slower than a senior citizen are stalling, wasting as much time as humanly possible.  On the other hand, the highly motivated are back in a flash, hoping they didn’t miss anything important.  If this pattern of complacency, laziness and minimal effort continues, these individuals will not succeed, put to shame and overshadowed by the overachievers in life.

The Bible was well ahead of its time, introducing a similar concept to the world by the end of the first century.  Jesus talked about striving for perfection during his sermon on the mount, encouraging the crowd to put their heart and soul into every aspect of life, even those people you despise or hate, Matthew 5:43-48.  As an avid sports fan of track and field, the apostle Paul addresses two sides to this topic.  From a mental approach, Paul focuses on the concentration necessary to acquire the proper attitude as you compete in life, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  Then, from a moral stand point, Paul adds work ethic with a devotion for your creator in Colossians 3:17, 23.  When you put these three passages together, the message is quite clear, “you’ve got to bring it!”

by Jay Mankus

God’s Consolation Prize

Finishing second stinks, especially when are so close you can taste victory, only to have it slip out of your hands.  Losing can be just as painful if you are a finalist for an open position only to receive a dear John letter or worse yet, the silence of not receiving a courtesy call.  Professional athletes who fail to win a title often say there is only one champion, everyone else are losers.  Unfortunately, history fails to remember those who almost succeeded or nearly won, unless you enjoy seeing runner up banners.

Like game shows that give out consolation prizes for contestants failing to win anything, God devotes a portion of scripture to such a scenario.  According to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, the apostle Paul recognized that only one runner in each event of the Corinthian Games, a pre – Olympic competition,  went home with a crown, first century trophy.  God wants each participant in life to treat each day like a new race, giving each one their best.  Therefore, whether you win or lose, you can sleep good at night knowing your actions glorified God on that day.

The Psalmist also comments on consolation prizes.  Psalm 94:18-19 refers to someone who has had a rough day, slipping and about to fall.  Held up by love, God provides consolation to this individual in the form of joy within their soul.  Thus, if you are having a bad day like me, may be you can find solace in this passage, claiming it for yourself as a personal prayer!  Keep your head up, shake off defeat and get back up for round 2, with the God who avenges wrong on your side, Psalm 94:1.

by Jay Mankus