One of my gymnasts had a disappointing meet. She had done very well in the competition. Her routines were strong, and the mental and physical preparation she had worked so hard on was paying off. But, on her last event, she made a costly mistake that stopped her from advancing to the National com- petition.
As her coaches, we tried to offer solace, but the pain was too intense for her. However, time will help her cope with the disappointment.
For a brief moment I questioned my own work. Athletes and coaches spend hours and hours working together, preparing for these events. When athletes win, the recognition validates our work, but when they lose, our work sometimes appears meaningless.
However, Scripture tells us that our work is worthwhile. Ecclesiastes 2:24 says, “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.” Work is satisfactory not because an athlete wins or loses, but because it is given to us by God. Regardless of the work we have chosen, it’s meaningful when it springs from our faith and is rooted in Christ. God gives us work, and He chooses the work we have. In this way, all work has meaning.
Photo by Bethany Legg
Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.
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