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Branded

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By DBritton

Posted
February 20, 2013

Ready: 

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.–Galatians 2:20
 

Set: 

An imprint is a permanent mark—engraved, etched, impressed, or inscribed. As an 8 year old, I once had an opportunity to ride my brother’s motorcycle. Wanting to show how “big” I was, I took off recklessly. About 100 yards down the road, my front tire hit a hole. I flew through the air and landed in a ditch with the motorcycle on my back. Thankfully, as a result of being in the ditch, the muffler was the only part touching me. As the muffler burned through my shirt and my flesh, I experienced a world of hurt. I was branded! My brother rescued me, and I was banned from riding his bike. Even though that event happened 28 years ago, I still have a burn mark on my back. The muffler left its mark.

Every time I compete or coach, I leave an imprint. It is either a good or bad impression—that is up to me. More importantly, do I leave an imprint of Jesus or me? Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20 that we need to die to ourselves so there will be no mark from us. What a challenge! Teammates and competitors get either more of Jesus or more of us. Athletes and coaches must be committed to leaving behind the imprint of Christ!
 

Go: 

1. When you compete, what kind of imprint is left?
2. Is it your imprint or Jesus’ imprint?
3. What practical things can you do to make sure the imprint will be the Lord’s and not yours?
 

Workout: 

Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10
 

Overtime: 

Lord, my goal is to compete in such a way as to leave behind Your mark, not mine. It is hard as I am consumed with my own performance. My prayer is that all who see me compete will know it is all about You. Amen.