"I love the sense of satisfaction that I get when I’ve done a swimming workout or race, and know that I gave my whole being and heart to God in every moment of the swim. It’s the best worship I can offer him."
Love
"Keep on loving each other as brothers" Hebrews 13:1
Love is part of the fruit of the spirit. Love is essence of Christianity. In John's letter he writes simply that God is love. Jesus told us to: "Love your neighbour as yourself". (Matthew 22:39)
How do you love your team mate as yourself, if she has just taken your place in the team for the cup final? Loving your team mates can be difficult. Yet as sportspeople our sports team is the natural place to model what we've learnt in the Christian community. Our role in the team should be to bring the qualities of Christ into the team.
Or if you are on the bench, half of you would like your team to score and win. The other half of us can't help thinking that if the opposition score, it will increase your chance of getting on the pitch. Can you genuinely say "all the best" to the player playing in your position before he goes out to play the game? If he goes down with an injury do you feel any sense of pity or is it all about you getting your chance now?
Sport is so often selfish, performance-based, Me first! If we take the standards and character of Christ into the world of sport we will be noticed. But no one ever said it was going to be easy.