Live the Life
Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.
2 Timothy 4:2
LIVE THE LIFE
The 2024 Summer Olympics just wrapped up this past weekend. After a damp start during the opening ceremonies, the Paris Olympic games recovered nicely and were an incredible hit among worldwide viewers. For most spectators, the Olympics is a display of the highest level of athletic skill and competition. For many Christian athletes, they also provide an opportunity to express their faith to each other and to the world. One such athlete is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who has made her Christian testimony widely known through numerous interviews and in her book, Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith.
“I credit all that I do to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s given me a gift, a drive, and a platform to glorify Him, so whenever I step on the track, I pray that God will allow me to be the vessel through which He is glorified, no matter the result. It’s about how I conduct myself and how I carry myself, not just how I perform. There is freedom in knowing that regardless of what happens, the Lord is going to get the praise through me. That’s why I do what I do.”
Sydney gets it! She clearly understands her “Why.” We get one shot in our life on earth to live in a way that brings honor and glory to Jesus Christ. As Rick Warren famously said, “It’s not about you!”
If you’re a coach, then you’re a minister in disguise as a coach. If you’re a scout, then you’re a minister in disguise as a scout. If you’re an athlete, then you’re a minister in disguise as an athlete. Whatever you do, whatever profession you work in, never forget: you’re a minister in disguise as a (fill in your blank) _________!
Paul admonished Timothy, and he is admonishing you and me as well: “Preach the word! Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.”
Live the life! Let your life shine for Christ. But even more importantly, step up, speak up, and tell your story about how Jesus intersected your life for eternity. Know your “Why.”
Remember:
“You’re a minister in disguise as a ________!”
Love God. Love People. Live Sent.
Be Worth Being,
Kevin
Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.