Fast Day 19: Sports as a Mission: Living for the Crown of Righteousness

By Ben Lo

“They will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”     – 2 Timothy 4:4-8 ESV

Sports are a big part of our culture, and they offer a powerful platform for connection and sharing the victory we have in Christ! Sports provide a training ground and tool for many life lessons experienced such as communication, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and how to overcome adversity. Athletes are pushed physically, mentally, emotionally, and technically through practices and competitions making them stronger in hopes of winning a championship.

I remember high school basketball practices where we ran the same plays repeatedly while our coach corrected every mistake, often rewarding us with extra sprints. Reactions ranged from wanting to quit to frustration to exhaustion to determination. The purpose wasn’t punishment; it was necessary discipline and preparation for the level of execution required to succeed.

In 2 Timothy, Paul writes from a prison cell near the end of his life, encouraging Timothy to stay faithful in his walk with Christ. In chapter 3, Paul writes about how the Holy Scriptures are God-breathed and used for different purposes including training in righteousness so we (God’s servants) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Like an athlete who endures the strain of training and competition, Timothy is reminded to expect hardship as part of the race, yet he is called to persevere, press on in proclaiming the gospel, and fully carry out his ministry. Paul finishes in 2 Tim 4:8 utilizing sports imagery describing the goal to receive a “Crown of Righteousness” and have lived a life faithfully for Christ.  

It is God’s grace through faith we are saved, not our works. That said, God has given us talents and gifts to use actively in advancing His Kingdom in our own personal races. Let us persevere, choose our responses, and rise to the challenges each day in God’s grace so we too can echo Paul’s statement of “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Devotional Questions:

1. What is an area or hardship that you can invite God into? Ask God for the strength to endure and the eyes to see what lessons he wants you to understand or grow in.

2. How can you encourage someone today in their race or fight and testify of God’s goodness?

3. What is the ministry God has laid in front of you for this season?

As you spend time in prayer, please lift up these Church on the Rock supported sports ministries including the Timm family (Asia cross-fit gym), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and Soccer in the Park to help advance His Kingdom.