Watch Your Steps

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

No-one would think of running a race in the Olympic Games with a weight in their hands, or would they? Let me share what I have discovered from sports story. In the early 19th Century, a believer name Forrest Smithson, won the obstacle race of the 1908 Olympic Games in London! He was running and jumping with a Bible in his hand. By this act he testified his faith in front of thousands of amazed spectators. His testimony was even more in evidence when he received the gold medal, and dedicated to JESUS!

The lives of sports champions are not at all easy to handle. As thousands of spectators who observed what the athletes do and the style in which they perform. All athletes have to come to terms with being in the limelight; they are always surrounded by a great crowd. Anything they do is rapidly made in public knowledge. Any gestures, any words or any situation is examined in detail, and often times it becomes a model and an example to others. So, athletes can't deny that being an athlete is not an easy life!

Most people may remember the seventh times World Heavy-Weight Champion Evander Holy Field, who also came to India New Delhi in 2005 for business promotion. Wherever he goes people often ask many questions about his sporting careers and also his faith life. Let me tell two of the selected one's.

We're informed that Holy Field wants to quit from world boxing to become full time Missionary, how far is it true? With a smile on his face he replied; who informed I will quit my professional boxing to become a Missionary? This is not the correct information, because since the day I believeth and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior I am a Missionary. I am already a Missionary; even today/now 'm a Missionary, and even in future I will be a Missionary till my last breath. And that is the sole purpose of God who created me to be a Missionary. Boxing is just the game of moment but a Missionary live is for an imperishable crown Christ has laid for me.

Another question is on Mike Tyson, the World Heavy-Weight Champion who has a career record of never lost a game. Tyson is also the strongest opponent of Holy Field. What had happened and how do you feel when 'Tyson' bites your ear during the WBA title bouts in Las Vegas. You were hurt physically and bleeding profusely, what was in your mind at that very moment, are you not trying to take revenge?

He said first I am a Christian (believer) and Mike Tyson is not. I was so angry, I hated him and wanted to take revenge (bite him back - tit for tat). In another round I was so close to his ear and about to take revenge; God spoke to me 'No' don't do it instead, love him and forgive him! God reminded me of His love, and the Bible, love your neighbors/enemies (when interpreted into sports term; love your opponents).

So, instead of revenge I began to love him with the love of Jesus'. After that realization I forgave him and whenever I punched I said in my heart Tyson, I love you but hit you for the sake of sports. My Jesus loves you and I love you too. Then, I punch, and I punch him with one of the most powerful punch/hooked in the name of Jesus. He fall down and failed to regain strength, because it was the gospel punch that was too strong to escape. I won the match but only after loving him for Jesus!

People watched me not only as Holy Field but as good believer in Jesus; and it's my duty to demonstrate Jesus in-and-out and most importantly during the bouts. His inscription on his flight Psalms 121!

Are you aware that you have more observers than the most famous athlete? I'm going to tell you something: your life is much more valuable because you are being observed without even realizing it. There are people who see who we are, watch what we do and observe how we behave. There are many people who depend on who we are and how we act.

Let me give some examples:-
o There are people who live all around us, who don't know God. To a certain extent, all that they understand about God depends on us.
o Our Christian 'family' is helped and encouraged by our example and dedication, and they learn from our faithfulness towards God.
o A proportion of the forces of evil are observing us, wanting us to fall in different situations. They delight in our failures, but are totally defeated when they see our confidence in God.
o There are hundreds of angels who learn spiritual lessons from observing us. They would give anything to be in our place but they work with us, giving up their help, always under God's instructions.

The Bible says that we have a huge crowd around us. God named us co-workers in reconciling the world to Him. When we speak of the gospel, we are sharing the Good News of 'Jesus' to others. Someone's eternal life could be dependent on how we carry out this task!

Yes, it is a fact that God speaks directly to people, without our help. But the Bible says that He wants to use both you and me to fulfill the task. People are watching you, ask yourself a question; what do they learn and see in me?