A Champion I Will Be

By Roger Long,
Christian Pool Player
BCA Advanced Certified Instructor

   When used as a noun the dictionary defines champion as 1 a valiant fighter 2 a person who fights for another or for a cause; defender; protector; supporter 3 a winner of first place or first prize in a competition.  As an adjective the word means winning or capable of winning first place; excelling over all others.  When used as a verb champion means to fight for; defend; support.

   From these definitions it is readily apparent that it should be more important to a Christian to be a valiant fighter, or a defender or a supporter of God’s Word, than it should be to finish in first place in a competition.  Besides, if you are a true champion in the first sense of the word, the Lord will allow you to occasionally be a champion in the second.

   Therefore, your primary goal should be to serve the Lord.  You can set secondary goals for yourself (such as deciding that you want to win a particular tournament, etc.), but unless you prepare yourself to achieve your primary goal, your secondary goals will be meaningless.  You wouldn’t want to put too much emphasis on your secondary goals anyway, because they can cause you to take your eyes off of Jesus, which would be to lose sight of your primary goal.  Preparation for your primary goal will include preparation for pursuing your secondary goals, but the actual results from the contests have to be left to the Lord.  Remember, Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

   You must now remember that the gifts of life, health and talent are there for a purpose.  You have been given these things so that you can serve the Lord by ministering to other people.  It is a great and wonderful thing when the Lord reveals to a Christian what his or her personal field of ministry is.  Your field of ministry is the billiard community.  You are a talented pool player.  You are meant to use your talent to get the attention of other pool players so you can share the Gospel with them.  To get their attention you have to play like a Christian champion (a Christian soldier, a valiant fighter).  You have to prepare yourself for the fight.  You have to play inspired pool, knowing that your ministry is inspired of God.  The Lord will then help you play in support of your family and Christian friends.  He will help you set a Christian example for all other pool players to see.  He will help you accept your losses with grace and dignity, for they have to be there to show others the insignificance of personal gain.  But he will also allow you your share of victories because you have prepared yourself for the battle, and because others need to see that leading a Christian life does not always mean having to sacrifice.

   Let the Lord be your leader, and He will make you His champion.