A Soldier, an athlete and a farmer (Part 2) February 27, 2007
Posted by Han in : Relationship with God , trackbackEndure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:3-7
Next, let us take a look at an athlete;
4) An athlete must be discipline
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 2 Corinthians 9:24-27
An athlete is known for his high level of discipline. His day structured. His time is well-managed. He sticks to strict routine. He needs to train 3 times a day, 7 days a week. The more he trains, the better he is going to be. He needs to watch up for his diet, preserve his energy and let nothing disturbs him emotionally.
High achiever usually has one obvious thing in common; they developed high level of personal discipline. Successful people are willing to do things the average people unwilling to do.
I have noticed that there are 6 important keys to express self-discipline:
1) Successful people master their moods. They are not governed by emotion but commitments.
2) Successful people control their tongue. They will think first before they speak anything.
3) Successful people restrain their reaction. They learn how to control their anger.
4) Successful people follow their time and schedule. They plan their time wisely.
5) Successful people manage their money. They learn how to live within their budget.
6) Successful people maintain their health. They have regular workout and exercise. They are also concern of what they eat.
Important: The disciplines that we put in place today will determine our success tomorrow.
5) No short cut and no easy way; must compete according to the rules
An athlete knows the rule of the game. No one knows better than them and they have to compete according to these rules in order to win or else they will be disqualified. Today in the sporting world, we can see a lot of doping cases. Athlete takes drug in order to boost their performance. But many of them were caught and their medals were eventually stripped off. How sad it is! A good athlete knows this – there is no easy way to success. There is no shorter road to winning. The only way to succeed in life is through hard work and many days of practice.
Alright, let us take a look at the last profession, it is a farmer.
6) Hardworking
A typical day in the life of a farmer involves a lot of hard work. The day usually starts early and ends late. A farmer’s life was generally hard and full of physical labor, very different from our society today. Hardworking is the word best describe a farmer.
Hardworking is a must in order to succeed in life. We cannot be lazy. Observe Proverbs 24:30-34 to see the end result of being lazy.
I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.
Indeed, the end result of being lazy is poverty, nothing else, unfruitful and unproductive. In today’s context, not only we work hard, we must work smart as well.
7) Don’t give-up
A farmer does not harvest its crop immediately. It takes time to grow. He needs to wait for a very long before he is able to see its fruit. Everyday he will need to do the same thing all over again; plowing the land, sowing the seeds and watering the field. It will take him some time before he get to see the crops.
Finally the last point is an important point; let us not give up easily. Like a farmer, it takes time for our dream and vision to materialize. We may be very tired to do the same thing all over again but don’t give up, it’s coming, success is at the doorstep. We may experience a lot of problem and difficulties but don’t give up, it’s coming, success is at the doorstep. A lot of people may talk down on us but don’t give-up, it’s coming, success is at the doorstep. No matter what’s our situation; don’t give up.
Conclusion
I want to wish you success in whatever thing you pursue especially in spiritually growth. I pray that God will bring you into new height and new dimension in your life.
All the Best,
Han
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