I am an Olympics fanatic.
That might even be too conservative of a description.
My husband probably things I’m a little nuts
about them.
I relish every minute of competition,
and the poignant human interest stories – they about do me in.
I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a crier, but
during the days leading up to the Olympics and during the Games, I’m two Today
Show interviews from being a certifiable basket case with a hernia.
Get me?
There is just something about watching someone or a team of
people shoot for the gold. Growing up, I
always loved being a part of a team. During
junior high and part of high school, I swam in the summer for my neighborhood
swim team and loved every second --even those 6am practices. In high school and college, musical pursuits
and rigorous science courses were my focus, but I never lost a deeply rooted
appreciation for the team concept. When
I first began thinking about getting certified to teach group exercise classes,
I was intimidated by the fact that I wasn’t involved in sports. I was an avid kickboxing class participant
and loved the gym, but I gave in to a faulty line of thinking that I wouldn’t
make the cut without being entrenched in team athletics. It look a decade of doubting before I finally
mustered up the courage to study, practice, get certified and begin
teaching. One thing that encouraged me
to go for my dream was the Fellowship of Athletes Competitors Creed. I think I attended an FCA meeting once with
some friends in high school, but I never heard of their creed until several
years later.
I am a Christian first and last.
I am created in the likeness of
God Almighty to bring Him glory.
I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.
I wear the colors of the cross.
I am a Competitor now and forever.
I am made to strive, to strain,
to stretch and to succeed
in the arena of competition.
I am a Christian Competitor
and as such, I face my challenger
with the face of Christ.
I do not trust in myself.
I do not boast in my abilities
or believe in my own strength.
I rely solely on the power of God.
I compete for the pleasure of
my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ
and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.
My attitude on and off
the field is above reproach -
my conduct beyond criticism.
Whether I am preparing,
practicing or playing;
I submit to God's authority
and those He has put over me.
I respect my coaches, officials,
teammates and competitors
out of respect for the Lord.
My body is the temple
of Jesus Christ.
I protect it from within and without.
Nothing enters my body that
does not honor the Living God.
My sweat is an offering to my Master.
My soreness is a sacrifice to my Savior.
I give my all - all of the time.
I do not give up. I do not give in.
I do not give out. I am the Lord’s warrior -
a competitor by conviction
and a disciple of determination.
I am confident beyond reason
because my confidence lies in Christ.
The results of my efforts
must result in His glory.
LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN.
LET THE GLORY BE GOD'S.
I love so many parts of this, but the main ideas that
propelled me into finally realizing my dream of becoming an instructor were
that I was already a part of a greater team, I could compete against myself,
and I could glorify God through every drop of sweat, sore muscle and
encouraging word I imparted to my classes.
My path in life didn’t take me down an athletics-centered road like the
Olympic athletes I ardently cheer for, but it can still make me an athlete for
Christ and the community I hope to serve.
I tell my Godspeed cycling class all the time that there is
an athlete in every single person, you just have to find them.
Do not give up, do not give in, do not give
out.
