You’ve Received Victory..Now what?

Nicole Worm
May 12, 2020
4 min read

The topic for this month is living in victory. For some reason, I immediately thought about the Olympics. The reason this is strange is that I’m not athletically inclined AT ALL. However, I feel like for most athletes the ultimate victory would be becoming a medalist or having the chance to participate in the Olympics (or any form of championship). Then I began wondering...we always hear about the amazing build-up stories: the endless years of training, the trials these athletes had to overcome, and the things they left behind to pursue their dreams. These winners have their moment of stardom with an opportunity to tell about their journey...and then it’s over. Over the next few years, there will be new medalists and the previous champions will be forgotten. So what happens to these incredibly talented athletes? What are their next steps? You might be thinking to yourself “I didn’t sign up for a sports blog”, but even the apostle Paul related our lives to sports!! Those medalists can do one of two things - be known as the athlete that was the greatest (has-been) OR they can continue to be involved. Here’s my point: I view salvation as the ultimate victory - the pinnacle every sinner is able to reach. Though there is only one road to salvation, we each have different experiences along the way- some are long and full of bumps. Okay, MOST are like that. No matter the journey, we’ve all made it here! We’ve made the decision to give our hearts to the Lord. Yay us! We’ll get some recognition for it; maybe even share our testimony with a few people and then that’s it. The hype is over. So my question to you, much like my question to the medalists is...what now? Most good athletes decide to stay involved. But what does that entail? It involves coaching, public speaking, and keeping up with the sport. Coaching: For our message, coaching would be discipleship. What good would these talented competitors be if they kept their knowledge to themselves? None! It would be quite selfish of us to have the key to ultimate joy and success and not give others the same opportunity. So go out into your workplace and schools (or join a zoom call) and share the good news- that you have been saved and you can assist others in reaching this victory as well! Public Speaking: Public speaking is a way to tell your stories and personal experiences. Though most of us think of this in a formal setting such as preaching in front of a crowd (which is awesome but can be quite intimidating to some), it can be much simpler. Speaking out can also include a quick text or post on social media. There are so many ways to reach people these days, meaning we have no excuse to not be sharing the Gospel. 'Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”’ Matthew 28:18-20 Keeping up with the game: If former medalists want to stay involved, they have to keep up with the latest strategies and techniques. Similarly, as Christians, we have to adjust to the constantly changing world we live in! In order to stay on top of it, we have to keep the Word fresh in our minds and have a relationship with God in order to receive new revelations. 'Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.' Proverbs 18:15 After dedicating their life to a sport, it is unlikely for these athletes to just walk away from it. But some do. Elise Laverick Sherwell, who won two bronze medals in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, decided to pursue the dreams she had previously put aside to become a medalist. She went back to school after her achievements and earned her law degree. In this context, it is important to keep the victory of the cross the central point of focus while chasing your dreams. Oftentimes, the goals you have for yourself change after being saved. Your goals change from being self-centered and of the flesh to being focused on winning souls for the Kingdom! Praying and fasting will help align your dreams with God’s purpose and plan for your life. Proverbs 9:10a explains the point I’m trying to make: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..” This is basically saying that the victory of salvation is only the start. Though the journey may have been long and this seems like the peak...it is only the beginning! You were designed to gain victory, but not just to go on living as nothing happened and be known as the person who USED to be on fire for the Lord. You have to continue to coach, speak, and adjust to the change in order to ‘stay relevant’ like those former champions. Or in this case...LIVE IN VICTORY.