“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” — Colossians 3:23-24
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I loved playing sports while growing up. As my athletic abilities improved, I enjoyed the accolades I received from my parents, teammates, coaches and local newspapers. Being known and accepted because of my performance on an athletic field was kind of like a drug. I was on an emotional high when things went well, but in a gutter when the performance was off. I needed that “fix” each week, so I drove myself to be the best I could be. I wasn’t a follower of Jesus, so all I knew was to perform for others to gain their acceptance.
As a freshman in college, I was confronted with the Gospel and placed my faith in Jesus. The campus director for the CRU ministry discipled me for the next two years. I began to understand who I was in Jesus and that I no longer needed to perform for others to gain their acceptance. I was loved and accepted by Jesus, and that was all that mattered.
I read Colossians 3:23-24 (above) one day and it brought a new freedom for me. I still loved to compete, but I could play for a higher purpose. I could play for an audience of One. As I meditated on these verses, I began to apply them to each area of my life. The Lord made me a better student, teammate, son, friend and baseball player. I joyfully began serving Jesus with each area of my life.
For whom are you performing?
— Mickey Weston, Chicago White Sox chaplain
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