I spent most of yesterday at a gathering for some of the
very best college athletes in the area.
I like athletics, probably because I have been a life-long athlete (at
least, that is my story!) Playing
athletics was always fun for me. And I
know that athletics are often touted as a good way to prepare for life and
leadership, etc. For the most part, I
believe this is true. But there is
always enough nasty news about athletics to know that it is not true in every
case. The fact is, all athletes are
humans and that means they are subject to all the glory and foibles of every
human being.
The athletic event yesterday rightly touted the past
accomplishments of the participants and anticipated the even greater hopes for
the days ahead. That, too, is fully
human---to stand between the past history of our accomplishments and future
hopes of better days ahead.
When we laud the accomplishments of athletes, it is typical
to recognize their commitment, their discipline and hard work. We talk about the character they form in the
process. Most good athletes are praised
for their team allegiance. I always
hoped this was true for myself as an athlete.
And by and large, I think it is true for athletes, as I know them. This is certainly the standard to which
coaches and others hold the athlete.
Nothing wrong with that.
You might wonder why I spend so much time talking about
athletics in a spiritual inspirational piece.
On the surface that might not seem relevant. After all, athletics is just a game. Spirituality is life. It is not a game. It is very serious and, perhaps, ought not to
be mixed up with games and athletes. It
is easy for me to see this critique.
If I did not know Greek, I might agree wholeheartedly with
this critique. But because I know Greek,
I am aware that our English word, athlete, is nothing more than an English
rendering of the Greek word, athlete. If
I see this Greek word, athlete, I can translate it with words like competitor,
warrior and player in a contest. It
certainly is associated with games and contests, like our athletic events
today. One can think of the ancient
Greek Olympics and know athletes competed.
But the word, athlete, does not have to be a sports’
term. The early Christian Church, which
widely wrote in the Greek language, used the term, athlete, to describe people
engaged seriously in the spiritual journey.
In fact, I could refer you to numerous texts in those early Christian
centuries where the author talks about “spiritual athletes.” By using such a phrase, the author
appropriates everything the word, athlete, means and applies that to the
spiritual person. Let’s look at how this
plays out.
A spiritual athlete is someone who is recognized for his or
her commitment, discipline and hard work---the same description for the sport
athlete. This seems quite clear to
me. A spiritual athlete surely is deeply
committed to God, the Holy One, the Ultimate Source of the Universe---however
you want to describe the source of their commitment. Commitment is more than a mere belief---an
idea of God. Commitment is a willful
engagement and allegiance to the Holy One.
It is a desire to make that One the ultimate in one’s relationship.
For sure, the spiritual athlete is committed to the
necessary discipline to be a spiritual athlete---and not simply a spectator in
life. The spiritual disciplines enable the disciple to be in spiritual shape. Discipline helps the athlete persevere
through tough times. Discipline means
the spiritual athlete is in shape to go the whole way. The spiritual athlete will be a
winner---whatever that means in spiritual terms.
Spiritual athletes are willing to do the hard work that
athletics know they must do. I can even
imagine the spiritual athlete saying that hard work is good for the soul---soul
work, as I like to call it. Soul work
asks us to reflect on life and work to grow and develop spiritually. It asks for as to develop hearts committed to
social justice and compassion. It asks
us to work for the good of others---to place our self lower than our neighbor.
Certainly spiritual athletes develop character. Character means a virtuous life. Character defines the spiritual person who
acts with integrity---who is dependably good and trustworthy. This does not suggest the spiritual athlete
is perfect. Spiritual athletes make
mistakes, just as athletes in sports make mistakes. But in both case, both athletes learn from
their mistakes and develop a higher level of prowess.
Finally, in the spiritual athlete there also is a form of
team allegiance. The spiritual athlete
is committed to community building---fostering spiritual ties and allegiances
across various boundaries. Spiritual
athletes have big, broad visions.
Ultimately, it is the whole of humanity redeemed and brought into the
unity of the Spirit.
My playing days may be over…but I am a spiritual athlete
till my dying day.
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