In this sixth week of our Independent Learning Project, I really wanted to breakdown FCA’s Competitor’s Creed and what it means to me. It is basically a solid prayer that helps Christian athletes to recall their true purpose in their sport and how they should be living and competing! I have the Competitor’s Creed hung up in my wrestling locker and in my dorm room. It has truly helped me in tough times to keep the right perspective on life and wrestling!
This creed is comprised of six stanzas that all have a different yet inspiring messages! The six components have themes of identity, competition, glory, attitude, physicality, and being the Lord’s warrior!
Here is a photo of the creed itself:
The first chunk of this prayer has to do with our identity in Christ. It reminds us that first and foremost, we are Christians, created in the image and likeness of God. We were created to bring Him glory, and our lives should reflect that! Whatever it is that I am doing on any given day, Christian athletes like myself must remember that we are part of the Lord’s army. Whether that be early morning workouts, weight lifting, conditioning, practicing, recovering, meetings, or watching film, we must always do our best to bring glory to our Father in Heaven!
In the Bible, Colossians 3:23 states that, “Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
The second portion of the creed takes a look at how we should be preparing and competing within our sports. As athletes, God created us to showcase our abilities that He has blessed us with! In everything we do, we must put on the face of Christ. It is essential as Christians to conform to the image and likeness of Christ to portray truth and bring about the Lord’s sovereign will!
Romans 8:29 reminds us that, “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…”
In the third stanza, the creed calls us to take a look at why we compete in our specific sports. It helps us to remember that we should not trust or boast in our own abilities, rather, rely solely on the power of God. It is His power and His will that provides us with the opportunity to participate within the platform of sports!
St. Paul writes in a letter to the Corinthians, “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The fourth component brings about what our attitudes should reflect. In preparation, practice, or competition, our attitudes should be consistent with Biblical principles! We are called to submit to the authority that God has put in place. It is imperative to respect all coaches, officials, teammates, and competitors out of respect for the Lord! Even though it can be tough to give regard to all individuals, we must always try to remember what Jesus would do in our particular situation!
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1
The fifth portion of the Competitor’s Creed deals with our bodies. Our bodies are the temples of God. Nothing shall enter into us that does not honor the living God! Committing every last aspect of our physical beings to the Lord should be our priority! Our workouts, diet, sleep, and other things we consume should all align with what God wants for us! It takes some discipline to stay in check with all of these components, but it will all be for our own good and for His glory!
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”
And last but certainly not least, the sixth and final section of this prayer summons us to be warriors for the Lord. We must give our all, all the time. Giving up, giving in, or giving out should not be in our vocabulary! Our confidence should be unreasonable because our confidence lies in Christ, not in ourselves! He has already won the ultimate battle! Our utmost effort must result in His glory!
Colossians 3:17 declares, “And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him!”
The Competitor’s Creed is a great resource to keep our hearts in check within the realm of sports and life. It has and still continues to help me remember why I am still scrapping on the mats today!
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