Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

I Timothy 4:8-10 (The Message)

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Grandgirlie #2, Tori, loves cheerleading. What started as an invitation  by a friend to participate in an after-school activity has taken on a life of its own.

I never knew much about cheerleading, at any age, because I was the nerd. I tried out for Drill Team in High School and was politely told, “No.” So I ran for Student Body Office.

But the discipline necessary to be good at cheerleading is amazing. Tori can do things with her body that I can only imagine. She works off-season to develop her tumbling skills. Once or twice a week, she fits in practices after school around homework. She is dedicated. And it shows.

This weekend I sat glued to my computer as the Christian Cheer Nationals streamed from Winston-Salem, NC. Tori and her teammates have attended this competition  for the last four years and are highly skilled young people.

The big moment — announcing the National Champions — seemed to take forever. And last night, we didn’t win. We always win. (You notice I said “we.”)

Mel and I were texting back and forth after the announcement and she summed it all up with:

“But the girls did awesome and the best they could.”

That is all anyone could ask. The coaches. The moms. The other teammates. They gave it their best.

Our days need that same discipline for life — the ultimate competition. We can’t afford to be lazy or the Enemy will defeat us every time. God has given us every tool that we need:

  • His Word — the rulebook
  • His Son — our Coach and Guide
  • His Holy Spirit — the one who helps us endure
  • And each other to spur us on

We must strive, train, and practice long hours before the critical moment so that we can do it and win the grand prize.

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 

1 Corinthians 9:25 (NLT)