[May I] be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:12, NASB)
The words painted largely on the walls of T3 Fitness Center are there to encourage everyone doing boot camp to get the most out of their workout:
Be Victorious.
Push Beyond.
Live Limitless.
Be Fearless. Conquer.
I Can. I Will.
You wouldn’t find these words on the walls of your local clubhouse, but you might see them in one of the many new college golf facilities. They would fit nicely alongside the lockers, hitting bays, putting greens, and numerous big screen televisions.
What if the words showed up on the walls of your church? It might be unconventional, but would it be proper and theologically correct?
Nothing wrong with Be Victorious. Just read Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
How about Push Beyond? Paul covered that in writing to the Ephesians: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20).
Live Limitless means we remove the boundaries that can restrict our growth and shoot for our potential in life. In Galatians 5:1, Paul talked about walking by the Spirit: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
Be Fearless. Conquer. These words remind me of Tom Lehman’s encouragement to Steve Jones during the final round of the 1996 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills. Preparing for the last round, Lehman read Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” When Jones’ tee shot found the woods on the sixteenth hole, Lehman reminded his playing partner that the Lord wanted them to be “strong and courageous.”
I Can. I Will. I’ve looked at those words at T3 Fitness for a year and a half. They are fine for the walls of a fitness center but would never work at my church or yours. More accurate would be I Can. I Will. With His Help. Paul told the Philippians, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
In today’s world, we find new churches starting out in school auditoriums, someone’s home, and even abandoned businesses. I’m not sure if owner Ike Shaw has been asked to rent out T3 on Sundays for a church start-up, but if he ever is asked, they will have the start of a great sanctuary!
—
Bill Euler
October 29, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash