What Jesus Has To Do With Sports

 “You must be holy because I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:16

         I played a sport today for the first time in years. And I didn't like it.
         I just don't like sports- in fact, I avoid them at all costs. But as my sporty friends here encouraged me and pressured me into joining in the "fun", I couldn't help but give in. But I just couldn't bring myself to enjoy even a moment of it! I could feel a deeper root buried beneath the issue though.... So I asked God why. And in return, He provided a memory that had completely and totally escaped my mind....
         8th grade volleyball camp. I showed up to this sports summer camp hoping to potentially find my "knack", but instead I found myself among loads of girls who had been in club volleyball since birth. Needless to say, I wasn't anywhere near their level. The specific memory the Lord brought to mind was when I missed a dive for the ball and one girl in particular called me out and criticized me, and ultimately left me feeling stupid and incapable. I felt inadequate and quite small as I recognized the fact that I would never be able to be as good as these girls who had been intensely playing the sport since they were 4 years old. And it was then that I must have subconsciously put up a wall and made the decision that I simply hate sports and just cannot play. It was one comment that I had forgotten completely about until today- not even a life-altering comment by any means- that actually had been holding a secret spot in my heart, and a deep one too.
       I know what you're thinking- what does a distaste for sports have anything to do with God? So she doesn't like sports- big deal. At first, I thought that exact same thing. But then God opened my eyes to the bigger issue: Sometimes it's the small and stupid things in our lives that hold us back from surrendering our all to the Lord and truly making Him Lord of our lives.
       When you get rid of the junk and insecurities and walls in your heart- even the small and seemingly meaningless ones- you are making more room for God. Walls of any kind do not belong in a heart that is given completely to the Lord. 1 Peter 1:16 says that we are to be holy because He is holy, and if there is any left over baggage in our hearts that we aren't willing to let the Lord deal with, how can that holiness ever be achieved?
       I believe that during this season I am going to be faced with doing things that are completely out of my character, whether it be something small like playing sports or something much bigger, and I will need to face them head on. Because when you are faithful in the small things, God is faithful in the big ones. By stepping out in the things you feel the least secure about, you are giving the Lord so much more power in your life. After all, Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” That means surrendering even the smallest walls in our hearts and letting go of the insecurities we barely even recognize, even when it's the most uncomfortable thing in the world. And in the words of Esther, "If I perish, I perish."
       I'd like to encourage you to sit down with God today and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to show you the small and stupid things that are keeping you from Him. And don't let the enemy make you feel stupid about being spiritual about such seemingly "meaningless" things. The Lord, who loves you so much, wants all of you. Every bit. Even the littlest parts. Allow Him to tear down your small, hidden walls, and walk in His freedom today.

Be blessed, ya'll.
Paige

How you can be praying:

• We start Training and Assessments for leadership training this week, and it will be a very busy time with classes all day everyday and a large amount of homework. Please pray that the Lord would give me energy and focus this week.
• "Don't look to the right or to the left, but keep your eyes on Me." This is something the Lord has been speaking to me since before I left for Australia, and it is something I pray about often. Please pray that I would indeed keep my eyes on Him and wouldn't be distracted from His purpose and calling by the circumstances around me.
• Health, once again! Like I said last time, living in a community always has risks of something going around. And that includes LICE! Getting sick and having a head full of lice isn't the end of the world, but it definitely takes away and holds you back from all the things going on here. 

I really cannot thank you enough for all your prayers and support!