Ready:
“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” – Послание эфесянам 4:1-2
Set:
In sports, showing weakness is viewed as something to be avoided at all costs. How about gentleness? Is being gentle the equivalent of being weak and therefore something you as an athlete or coach should resist? Or could gentleness actually be essential for success in what matters most?
As God through His Spirit is growing us in spiritual maturity, how we live will be increasingly marked by the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Maybe we’re tempted to opt-out on gentleness, thinking that it doesn’t really have a place in competition. However, a biblical understanding of gentleness leads us to a different conclusion as we seek to compete for the Lord’s glory.
According to Ephesians 4:1-2, “to walk worthy of the calling you have received” from the Lord includes doing everything “with all humility and gentleness.” Far from being the equivalent of weakness, gentleness in the Bible is “strength under control.” It is treating others with a considerateness and sensitivity to their needs that comes out of genuine humility. There was nothing weak or wimpy about Jesus. He lived and led with a strength that we desire to emulate. It’s also helpful to recognize that Jesus called Himself “gentle” (Matthew 11:29).
How can we compete and coach with the “strength under control” we see in Jesus, especially with people we find difficult? As we’re amazed and humbled by how the Lord loves us and treats us with gentleness despite our sins and flaws, we’re able to love others despite their sins and flaws. Rather than unleashing angrily on a teammate, player or official when they act contrary to what we want, we can be both firm and gentle out of a desire to put God’s love on display.
Gentleness comes from staying focused on our ultimate goal: to live worthy of our calling, which includes making a long-term impact for Christ in the sphere of influence He’s given us. When you compete and coach with appropriate gentleness, you’re not showing weakness. You’re living out a strength that’s under control, and this will bear fruit for God’s glory.
Go:
Make a list of examples from the Bible of how Jesus demonstrates gentleness.
What would it look like for you to grow in gentleness in your setting as an athlete or coach?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, I praise You because all power and authority belong to You, and yet You treat us with love and gentleness. I pray that I would grow in this “strength under control” quality, especially with people I find difficult. May others experience Your love and gentleness through me. Amen.”