Todays’ AMI Quiet Time is written by Pastor Ryun.
Devotional Thoughts for Today
“Winning isn’t Everything; It’s the Only Thing. No, There Is Something More Important.”
1 Corinthians 6:7b-8:
Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? But, instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers.
Upon witnessing Serena Williams’s outburst during the U.S. Open Finals, I caught a glimpse of what I must look like during my own episodes. The major difference, of course, was that Serena’s meltdown unfolded before the watching world—mine occurred before my wife and kids. Like Serena, I often felt that my anger—even my rage—had a just cause. But the Holy Spirit is never far from my ears, reminding me first: “Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:20); and second: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” (1 Cor. 13:12). In other words, my anger was often rooted in a limited, distorted view of what really happened. I saw only what I wanted to see—enough to make myself right in the eyes of my family. Perhaps that played a part in Serena’s implosion, too. But life doesn’t have to be lived that way. “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing,” some say—but it doesn’t have to be our mantra. We can choose to place compassion and decency above the need to win—whether in marriage or on the tennis court.
In 1995, Pete Sampras faced Jim Courier, a longtime friend, in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Sampras’s coach, Bill Gullickson, had just suffered his third stroke and returned to the States before the match. Grief-stricken and visibly shaken, Sampras began losing badly. Then, from the crowd, a voice called out, “Win one for your coach!” Sampras broke down and started to cry. Courier, instead of capitalizing on the moment to secure a victory and move one step closer to millions in prize money, paused. He delayed his serve, allowing Sampras time to regain composure. Then he called out, “Are you all right, Pete? We can finish this thing tomorrow!” In that moment, it no longer mattered who won—compassion had won over the mantra of ruthless competition.
Paul addresses the Corinthian believers who were suing one another over financial matters, saying, “And this in front of believers… Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Cor. 6:6–7). Why? So that “God’s name [is not] blasphemed among the [unbelievers] because of you” (Rom. 2:24). If a tennis player can display that kind of compassion despite the stakes, how much more should Christians—who live with souls in eternal balance—extend mercy for Christ’s sake?
I don’t condemn Serena. I’ve stood where she stood. So maybe I’d say: “Serena, there is peace—not in another championship, but in the forgiveness that God offers in Christ.” And perhaps, as I’ve had to do so many times with my wife and children, you might consider saying, “It’s my bad; that’s on me. I apologize.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live in harmony with others, being sympathetic and loving toward my brothers and sisters, as well as being compassionate and humble. Lord, help me not to pay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing (1 Pet. 3:8-9), for that’s what You did for me. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 36
Lunch Break Study (by HeeJung Lee)
Read Colossians 3:14-17: “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Questions to Consider
- What type of conversations do you find yourself engaged in these days?
- How much do you find yourself despising all that is wrong and being attracted to whatever is good, noble, pure, and lovely?
- Are you ruled by your feelings and your own will, or do you submit to the Word of God in your daily choices of thought, attitudes, and will?
Notes
- Scriptures tell us that out of the abundance of the heart of the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Doing an inventory of your words and conversations is a good start to getting a gauge on what is dwelling in your heart and how you are doing spiritually.
- Love is not a good deed. Love, as explained in the Scriptures, is one’s nature—a way of being that is the compelling motive behind deeds and actions. Love is drawn to all that is upright, pure, and promotes the well being of others. If this is not the operation of your thoughts and heart, then you may be needing to first be filled up with God’s love for you so that you are not living out of an orphan spirit trying to gain His approval by outward acts of righteousness. You are already approved by God because of Christ’s righteousness in you. His desire is for you to be filled up in the knowledge of His love for you first, and then you will be able to overflow His love to others. All unhealthiness of the heart needs to be addressed first so that this can happen.
- The ways of flesh oppose the ways of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). The more we incline to self lordship, the less we are being filled with God’s love. Then we will find it difficult to see and feel as God does because we will grieve the Holy Spirit in us. The more we submit to the Word of God, it becomes easier to think and make choices that are in obedience to God’s commands. We will be more filled with the Holy Spirit and able to walk in His nature.
Evening Reflection
We began the day by considering the heart of love and how it is drawn to all that is good and right. In light of this meditation, how did you find your heart operating today?