Why do you _______?
Taking a lesson from the motto of Team FCA Endurance which is “Competing for Christ” with a subtitle that is the question, “Why do you race?” – you fill in the blank for any activity in which you are involved.
The FCA Endurance logo is meant to not only attract attention, but to get the thoughts of those who see it. It’s a valid question to ask in order to get a reality check on life and all we do. The Bible is clear that whatever we do we are to do so for God’s glory including the activity of our bodies.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
It’s easy to get into the mode of thinking that it really doesn’t matter, or get caught up in doing things strictly for selfish reasons which ends up being the motivation for most of what we do. The Bible tells us that God is behind our plans and God, as the Master, has entrusted all things to us and considers us stewards. Therefore, we are accountable to Him on how well we use what He has entrusted – time, talent, treasure, opportunities, etc. to His glory.
Luke 16:11-13 (ESV) 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
So, why do you race? (Or substitute anything for racing – why do you ___?) God says, “Do all you do for Him first and foremost.” That changes how you look at the menial things of life, that changes how you look at the boring things of life, that changes how you do life. He has you where you are to glorify Him in all that you are or do. So if you race – you race for His glory, giving your all and leaving the results to Him. If you work – you work for His glory, giving your all and leaving the results to Him. The same can be true for all of life. You are not your own – you have been bought with a price – so glorify God in your body and that means with all you have in your time, talent, treasure, etc.
When Chad Hawker started the Iron Prayer ministry in Kona at the 2000 Ironman Triathlon World Championship, he was honoring God through an unpleasant circumstance. He was a favorite to win the race but was hit by a car in Kona the week prior to the race. Rather than focus on his misfortune, he asked God for a way to glorify Him through his down time. The first Iron Prayer service was held to remind those who are Christians to use their race to glorify God and to present the Gospel to unbelievers to let them see that God has a purpose for their lives, more than mere selfish ambitions. The result of Chad’s seeking to glorify God in his misfortune has been ten years of ministry at hundreds of races, and thousands of athletes have been touched by Iron Prayer services which continue today through the leadership of FCA – Endurance.
That is no accident and neither are the things that happen to you – be it opportunities God places before you, the abilities you have, the friends you make, the income you gain, or even the struggles you face. All things are to be done to the glory of God, and taken as His gift entrusted to you. So why do you race? (… do anything?)
Doing whatever you do for His glory gives you purpose and giving it your all brings you the satisfaction of pleasing the One who loves you enough that He gave His Son for you.
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
Bob is the pastor of Christ Community Presbyterian Church, Clearwater, Florida. See www.ccpconline.org for church information and listen to Bob’s latest sermons.
FCA Endurance – Clearwater – We have registered and are forming a Clearwater Huddle of the FCA Endurance team. We will be announcing a “start up meeting” in the coming month. Check my website for updates and/or send me an email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please pass the word to athletes in the Clearwater area. For information about FCA Endurance see www.fcaendurance.com
