San Mames, Bilbao Athletic

And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.

I finally went to a football match here in Spain. It was Bilbao Athletic VS UE Llagostera. My buddy, Julen, invited me and my friends to join him and his friends to watch the match at Campo San Mames Zelaia a.k.a The Bilbao Stadium since he had with him some tickets for us to use. It was not the 1st team playing, but it worth to watch. They won 2:0!! Hurrraahh!!!! 





 It was as if I was back on my high school time, when I was so crazy about this football thing. I did not how at the end I came to like this sport. I really do like it and apparently, I know a little bit here and there about the rules of the games, tactics, etc. It was so exciting! 🙂

As I pondered upon this experience, I remember the bible verse mentioning about athletes. I was not sure where it was, so I googled it up. And I got it. It was 2 Timothy 2:5. And the verses go like this:

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

1Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

So, apparently this particular verse, verse 5, falls into a chapter on becoming a good soldier of Christ Jesus. And Apostle Paul uses the analogy of soldiers, athletes, and hardworking farmers. In the hope that these examples help Timothy (us) to be strong, to keep on teaching the truths and endure suffering.

Particularly for athletes, Paul said that they cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. Whoa! Talking about rules. There were so many rules being broken during the game tonight. As with christians, I supposed. There are rules in this life that God had put them down in the Bible that we should follow if we wanted to win the prize. And tonight football match reminded me exactlty.

People said rules are there to be broken. I guess, people can say whatever they like. But as for me, I want the prize, I want the eternal life with my loving Father. LORD help me to follow the rules, only by Your grace. Amen.