CBS News anchor Dan Rather admits he was always fascinated by the sport of boxing, even though he was never good at it. “In boxing you’re on your own; there’s no place to hide,” he says. “At the end of the match only one boxer has his hand up. That’s it. He has no one to credit or to blame except himself.” Rather, who boxed in high school, says his coach’s greatest goal was to teach his boxers that they absolutely, positively, without question, had to be “get up” fighters. “If you’re in a ring just once in your life–completely on your own–and you get knocked down, but you get back up again, it’s a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Your sense of achievement is distinct and unique. And sometimes the only thing making you get up is someone in your corner yelling.”
– Reader’s Digest, December, 1990.
The Apostle Paul used many sports illustrations. It is highly possible that he attended some of the games. Here are a few examples for your consideration:
Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather play in a game than watch it.
Give it some thought.
Gary