“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

As you read this I’ll be waking up in Nevada. My whole family took a late night flight to Las Vegas to support and celebrate my Ember. 

She plays Volleyball. And she’s good. Really good. Her team qualified for the national club volleyball tournament that takes place in Vegas this week. 

It is a joy to watch your kids excel. From the first time she picked up a volleyball in a local rec league, I saw potential in her. She has a knack for the ball and athletic instincts that have given her natural ability. This always makes me smile. 

But, it is through the years of extensive practice, work, and discipline that she has honed these skills and taken her game to the next level. It is so stinking fun to watch her hard work pay off!

Discipline is a hallmark of any successful athlete. It is the bedrock of scholars and the source of trailblazers. Discipline is an essential element to any goal. For, as you know, nothing worth attaining comes easily. And those things that are easy are rarely worth attaining. 

This is Paul’s insight for your life of faith as well. Leveraging discipline and honing its labor for your devotion to Jesus is a key ingredient in the recipe of faith. 

How would you rate your discipline in the realm of faith? Have you found your sweet spot? Is it a growing edge of weakness? Do you need a trainer to help you take the next step?

Ember certainly has benefited from her coaches’ helping her to stay on track and level up her skills. It is no different in your life of faith. Sometimes you need someone else to speak into your life and offer some external discipline when the internal drive is lacking. 

I’ve had some great coaches in my life. They drew the best out of me. Pushed me hard. Expected high standards. And demanded my best at every turn. Some of those coaches were not my favorite. Not because of those standards. But because their drive was towards winning. I was lost in the equation. I was a tool in the hand of the coach to assemble the winning recipe. 

Other coaches, and these were my absolute favorite, had all the same expectations—and in some ways they were harder on me. But there was a level of love and grace. My growth and performance were not a means to an end. Instead, it was clear they were developing me. They demanded the best out of me because they wanted the best for me. This is a coach. 

And this is Jesus. He wants the best out of you. Because he wants the best for you. He knows you. He was there when you were being knit together after all. He knows you fully and completely. You matter to him. Fully and completely. Not because of what you can do for Him. Trust me, Jesus doesn’t need anything from you or me. He’s got it all covered. 

Instead, He wants the best for you. And self-discipline is part of the puzzle. A big part of the puzzle. 

But it isn’t the only piece—not even the biggest piece. His grace and love for you are bigger and more integral. 

So, like Ember, I hope you train hard. I hope you put in the hours and train yourself in the ways of faith. I want this for you and for me. Because it matters. 

Jesus likes it when you try.

But, when you fail (and you are going to fail. Often.) know that the grace of God doesn’t come in yelling and belittling your failure. God’s grace comes and picks you up, dusts you off, and says, “I’ll be here every time you misstep. I’ll pick you up after every fall. I’ll never stop cheering for you. Ever.”

And, the best news of all… when you are exhausted and don’t have another step in you for this race of faith… that’s when Jesus grabs the baton and says—I’ll finish this race. 

It’s in that moment that you realize, he was always holding the baton with you the whole time.