I … made known to them my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live.

Ezekiel 20:11

Competition drew me to sports. I enjoyed competing in a supervised environment that ensured fair play and safety. The life lessons that I learned proved helpful. I was once on a basketball team in the ninth grade. An opponent committed a foul. He had knocked a teammate of mine to the floor. Thus, we were awarded two free throws. As we lined up for them, the boy who had committed the foul extended his hand to help my teammate up. “That’s sportsmanship,” I thought to myself. I also learned that, like God, a referee is always watching. Christ taught us to abide by His rules. Those who do so demonstrate character and ethics. They can also help ensure peace in society. We all fail when it comes to keeping the rules of the game, yet we have a Savior who kept the rules, and helps us up when we fall.

Robert Gilbert
Richardson, TX

Dear Father, thank You for the coaches and others who taught me to succeed by developing skill and character. Amen.

Reflect: How can you help members of your community to respect others?

Read: Hebrews 10:24-25 and Galatians 6:1-2