Gladiators Doin' Work

God bless you this week as you continue to live a life of the 3 F’s: Fleeing, Following, and Fighting! This past weekend’s meeting focused on the fight that we as followers of Christ are in. We looked at the word Paul used for fight in 1 Timothy 6 which was agonidzomi. It carries the idea of an athlete “competing for a prize in the Olympic games.” It’s also where we get our word agonize. Paul says that the Man of God must be ready to compete in this walk with God. It describes a level of concentration, and a level of effort, coupled with discipline and conviction that lead to success.

Have you seen the Spike Lee’s ESPN documentary, “Kobe Doin’ Work”? Wow! Kobe does a running commentary of a 2008 game against the Spurs. During the documentary you hear him talking to his teammates on the floor, while also hearing what he’s thinking during every move and every series of plays. It’s a phenomenal piece which shows the level of preparation, the level of discipline, the level of respect he has for the game. It shows how he meticulously dissects every second of action and how he monitors the entire floor in real-time. His vast knowledge of the game, his careful attention to detail, and his amazing work ethic (along with his God given ability) make him arguably the greatest player in the game today.

The running theme throughout the documentary is execution. There are set plays, there was practice, there was watching film, but what it comes down to is the execution; how well you carry out what you are supposed to do. Kobe said it doesn’t matter if the opposing team knows what plays you are going to run; what matters is the execution.

Men, how’s your game? What would the “[Your Name] Doin’ Work” documentary be like? Would it show your level of preparation, discipline, and respect for your walk? Would it show you meticulously dissecting every second of your daily actions while monitoring your surroundings? Will it highlight your vast knowledge of the Christian life, your careful attention to detail, and your amazing work ethic? How is your execution? Paul said to agonize the agonidzomi; fight the good fight. There should be some sweat, both physically and mentally in your pursuit of being the Man of God.

Fellow Gladiators, as we live this life, are there chants of “MVP” bellowing down from heaven, or when we get “on the court” do they just head for the concession stands? Let’s execute men.