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Sacrifice

by Doug Reese TTNL

In a recent sporting goods advertisement, three-time NCAA Wrestling champion and 1999 World Freestyle Wrestling champion Stephen Neal is quoted as saying:

"My toughest match is not in the ring - it's at the dinner table and at fast food restaurants. It's hearing about the party I can never go to. It's realizing being a great wrestler isn't sport, it's a life."

Stephen Neal sacrificed much to reach his athletic goals.

Athletic Principle

To reach to the next level in any sport, or in any endeavor requires sacrifice. Webster defines sacrifice as, "Voluntary giving up of something valued." So to climb to a new level of performance, you must be willing to pay the price for success - that payment is called sacrifice.

When you sacrifice, the reward will be sweeter when you reach your goal. The effort and the time you put into reaching your goal will pay off. Without sacrifice, it is easier to accept defeat because you haven't worked hard enough to expect to win. Without sacrifice you don't really deserve to win - and you know it.

The most dedicated athletes hate to lose - more than they enjoy winning. Why? Because they have worked harder than most others, they have put more time in, and they have more to lose. Time spent training and being disciplined builds self-confidence. Championships are built on a foundation of sacrifice. Work hard. Do what it takes, and then do a little bit more.

God's Performance Principle

In athletics today much of the sacrifice we see is self-centered, but the greatest sacrifice of all is done in love.

"Christ demonstrated his love for us, when we were yet still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Kay Poe, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Taekwondo team knows first hand about sacrifical love. In the U.S. Olympic Taekwondo Trials in Colorado Springs, Ester Kim conceded in the finals of the flyweight bout. Kay Poe who was the top ranked athlete in the world, had injured her left knee in the semifinals and could barely stand up.

"If we clashed hard enough, her knee might have been permanently injured," said Ester, of her best friend and training partner.

Ester Kim sacrificed a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team so her friend could compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. "I wasn't throwing my dreams away; I was handing them to Kay," noted Ester Kim.

You might define Ester Kim's action as totally unbelievable in this day and age of "me-first," but Christ defines it as an act of love.

"(Jesus speaking) So now I am giving you a new commandment; Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35)

We too are called to love and to sacrifice in the same way.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16)

What sacrifices in love have you done lately for a teammate or a coach? Sacrifice is our lives is a necessary component. Sacrifice not only is a key to victory in athletics, but it is a great way to show whose team you are on.

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)

"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Matthew 19:21)

"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." (Romans 14:21)

"Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." (1 Corinthians 13:5)

"Each of you should look not only to your interests, but also to the interest of others."