Sport provides the perfect vehicle to challenge yourself. From motivational goals such as losing weight or chasing an Olympic Gold Medal, sport tests our capabilities and perseverance. Eric Liddell, missionary and Olympic medallist from“Chariots of Fire”, spoke of the way striving in sport reflected his walk with God.
The journey
This also reflects my journey. On the 9th of June I am attempting what is regarded as one of the toughest one-day sporting events in the world: an Ironman Triathlon. The event is not just a destination but part of a journey. Through health challenges and wrestling with God’s providence in life, the Ironman takes on a symbolismfor personal growth.
The event
The event is a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run through the tropical areas around Cairns, North Queensland.
The motivation
The motivation is to be intentional in my faith. That is, the event is not just a personal journey but an intentional way to integrate Jesus into every aspect of life. Tackling this event aims to raise awareness of the work of a Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) family serving in Arnhem Land, N.T. MAF’s Rhys and Angela Morrell come from my old home church, Horsham Church of Christ. Their service with MAF, around the Gove Peninsula,shares the love of Jesus through aviation and technology: supporting the local Indigenous churches, providing transport, medical and educational flights for some of the most remote people in Australia. My aim is to raise 140 new prayer supporters for the Morrells (1 for each mile of the race) and $1045 ($1 for my goal finish time of 10hr 45min).
The opportunity
The race provides a high profile platform to promote the ministry of MAF around their international office in Cairns. Intentionally wrestling with God in this way also witnesses to what all Christians do: attempting to live out being a Jesus follower in every area of our lives. The challenge is to grasp these opportunities in life. Can I encourage you to join with me in supporting MAF’s work in the N.T. by signing up maf.org.au/morrell for their prayer newsletter?
Jeremy Dover is a former sports scientist and Pastor
Jeremy Dover's previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover1.html
And https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover.html
Jeremy Dover is a former sports scientist and Pastor
Jeremy Dover's previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover1.html
And https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover.html
