Discipline your body

“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

In an article posted by Runners World magazine last month, the following was reported: Alberto Salazar, the former coach of the Nike Oregon Project, has lost his appeal of a ban by the U.S. Center for SafeSport for sexual misconduct. He remains permanently ineligible to coach athletes across the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement. Salazar did not return an email from Runner’s World seeking comment. A Nike spokesperson wrote in an email: “Alberto is no longer a contracted coach and we shuttered the Oregon project over 2 years ago. In August 2021, we changed the Alberto Salazar building name to Next% following SafeSport’s decision to permanently ban Alberto from coaching.” Pretty sad ending to his career isn’t it? Especially when you consider his potential. Until his anti-doping ban in 2019, Salazar coached several Olympic medalists and top runners, including Americans Galen Rupp and Matthew Centrowitz and Mo Farah of Great Britain. Under Salazar, American marathoner Jordan Hasay ran the 2017 Chicago Marathon in 2:20:57, at the time placing her second on the list of fastest American women marathoners.

And you know, when it comes to being banned from doing what you love, the apostle Paul said this, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Knowing the depravity of man and how easily a person could be lured to follow their fleshly desires (even the most upright of believers), Paul trained himself daily to follow God’s commands; something you can be sure took constant effort and the utmost attention. You see, Paul knew that he could easily fall into temptation and be banned from preaching the Gospel, the thing he loved to do the most, if he ever sinned in a way that would disqualify or make himself ineligible or unsuitable from holding the title of teacher.

So recognizing how easily we could all be enticed by sin, especially when we let our guards down, let us consistently train and discipline our minds and bodies to stand firm by staying rooted in the Word and keeping our eyes on Jesus. There’s absolutely no other way to avoid being disqualified.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us how quickly we can fall into temptation. Paul knew it as did Peter, a man who walked with Jesus. Cause us to always be on guard against sin that we might always remain qualified to preach the Good News and worthy of the title follower of Jesus Christ. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!