Guest Contributor: Mr. Jeremy “Spidey” Inman. WPD Alpha Group.
“Here is what I learned: God has no issue pruning a branch of mine (yours) if it does not glorify him.“
– Jeremy “Spidey” Inman
What do soul and sport have to do with each other? Most people probably don’t even consider these as relatable concepts. I sure didn’t when I was running in college, actively competing in NCAA Division II cross country and track. Not until I got injured and started emotionally crashing and mentally checking out of important areas of my life. My body hurt. My soul hurt.
My injury was a roller coaster of doctor visits, wild emotions, and unexplainable physical pain. The conditions were adverse and the circumstances confusing. I wanted to continue running at a top level, but I could not. My response was natural, and no doubt driven by a multitude of thinking and feeling both internally and externally. At times it seemed my soul and sport were connected but in conflict.
We all are unique. We all respond to life challenges differently. I had my share of hard workouts, hamstring cramps, and bad races. But something deep within me was equally unsettled. In part, my response came from the depths of my soul – that part of me that clarifies my identity and purpose. In this unsettled time what was I doing to address my soul? I am a believer and follower of Christ. Not surprising to know I feed my soul with scripture, worship, community, fellowship, and more. I don’t always respond well, but I am in the “race.” I am committed to tending to that which gives me ultimate identity and purpose.
The soul seems “tricky” and mysterious. Though I am made in the image of God, I, and others, are … well…sinful. Seems we sin without a second thought. The Spirit can’t work within me when sin if unchecked. That sin simply distracts me, pulling me and perhaps you to pursue and relish in life that is counter God. Self-focused, too much.
Back to my sport injury – the one that knocked me out of the sport I love. Sadly, the sin, great self-focused won. My life was different. I responded like a little baby who got his toy taken away. I drowned in my own deep thinking. Who? What? Why? I was hurting. I reached out. I started seeing a counselor and continue the disciplines of scripture, worship, community, and fellowship. I sorted out soul and sport. And in the process, my faith grew. See what happened there? I gave attention to my soul – that part of me that clarifies my deepest identity and purpose. Very positive. It was a win for me. I fed my soul with something impactful, rather than my rather sinful, self-focused thoughts. Over the next year I wrestled with (1) the fact that sport goals were finished and (2) why God stripped away the gift of high-level running. I found study and relationships vital to my growth.
John 15:5 reports the words of Jesus: “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” Through study, I learned the deeper meaning and impact of this scripture. Three years after my injury and a year and a half after graduating college, I learned. What? Many things but one nasty item was a grudge against the sport. I needed some healing. Amazingly, I connected with powerful mentor (a friend of Dr. McNeal) at my new home in Dallas, TX.
Going through Philippians with my new mentor changed my outlook. Here is what I learned: God has no issue pruning a branch of mine (yours) if it does not glorify him. Remember, Jesus said that He is the vine, and my branches must be fruitful to Him and glorify the Kingdom. He is completely fine with stripping from my (your) life something that is good and bad. Immediately, I thought about my running. It was good, and I would go as far to say very beneficial. Reflecting, I think God may not have thought it was that beneficial. My body was hurting, but perhaps more importantly my soul was hurting. My soul was not focused on the best – him. My running ambitions and goals interfered. Once sport took it proper place, my soul strengthened.
To conclude, let’s see if I can land this bumpy plane flight without crashing. I am a big Spider-Man fan. Iron Man once told Peter Parker (Spider-Man), “If you’re nothing without this suit, then you shouldn’t have it.” I love the meaning in this statement hence this post’s title. Perhaps you can grapple with the statement. I will start. I ask myself. Self, if I am nothing without running, then what am I? The world says I am no longer successful, a washed-up athlete. More hurtful, a failure. I believed that for far too long and wasted a lot of time and energy living like it.
Here’s the delayed hook. Christ says I am His, and all I need is Him. I don’t need running. I don’t need my job. I don’t need fast times or races won. I don’t need money, fame, or whatever else I can name. All I need is Christ. My soul – that part of me that clarifies my identity and purpose – is nothing without Him. And without sport, I (you) still have my (your) soul. Might be harsh, but I truly believe this is what Jesus through John was saying and then what Paul was driving home in Philippians. If I am nothing without running, then what am I? How about you?
Rank Western Wear