Pros update
17 February 05
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Born to Play How do you play sport as a Christian? Can you be as competitive as everyone else? Can you really 'love' your opponent? The book addresses these and other questions. Pocket size. written by Graham Daniels and Stuart Weir Price £4
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Being there for Christ
How would we sum up what we have learned from Daniel? We have already noted his longevity – over 65 years. We first see him as a YTS player but by the end he is a senior pro. Not that it was all plain sailing. As a teenager he had to nail his colours to the mast by taking his stand over the food. Under Nebuchadnezzar he was top man but when Belshazzar succeeded him as gaffer, Daniel lost his place in the first team. Then he came good again in the twilight of his career.
Some verses in Chapter 2 give us his secret. He depended on God. When the King had a dream, which disturbed him and planned to kill all his wise men, what did Daniel do?
“Then Daniel returned to his
house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and
Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven
concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be
executed with the rest of the wise men of
Babylon….
The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell
me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"
Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain
to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in
heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will
happen in days to come.
Daniel 2:17-18, 26-28)
If you are going through a period where you are out of the team or your contribution to the club is not valued – or as a sports professional you are just struggling to get enough work to survive, what should you do. First pray! Then depend on God. Don’t let your head drop. Keep giving 100%.
Remember that your ability is God's gift. And give it to him, and give it to your peers at that club. Have you ever sat down and said to yourself my gifts come from the Almighty creator of the universe. I found my level of ability, I know what I can do now, and from this day on and tomorrow and the next day, I use this ability first of all for God. And secondly, as a result of using it for God, I will work so hard in the world of sport. Say your prayers, put your life in perspective and see who you are in relation to Almighty God.
That's what Daniel did and he made quite an impact
Graham Daniels & Stuart Weir