I Worked Hard For This Body!

So, this week was back to the 5.45am wakeup call for the gym.

Really tough after such a nice two weeks of lying in, eating pretty much what I want, putting off the day when I’d have to work hard to lose it again.

The last year has seen me lose a fair bit of weight. The comments, I guess are nice – ‘oh you’re looking good’ or ‘I thought you were looking trim’. But as I’ve got back into some fitness, I’ve realised a subtle undertone to my responses of ‘thank you’ – ‘yes, I have worked hard for this’.

Early mornings.

Deadly spin classes.

Monotonous laps in the pool.

I’ve worked hard.

I deserve it…

The whole weight-loss fitness thing can have its religious overtones of course. I consult my healthy food ‘Bible’. I might ‘confess’ to my wife if I’ve contravened a ‘2’ day (yes the dreaded 5:2 diet). I try to ‘be good’ but don’t always succeed. I even dress the part in my Ron Burgundy sweatbands (that’s a joke btw). 

Why it’s harder than ever to stay fit

So why is it harder to keep fit nowadays? And why might that fuel my pride in my achievements? There’s probably several reasons, but here’s just two.

The first is our sedentary lifestyle. Technology has led to amazing advances in how we work, but has meant that to stay fit we have to put more effort in, often in our ‘spare time’. In years past, manual work and house work without white goods meant more natural fitness from our daily lives. If we ‘looked good’ then big deal, it’s just what we did; it often didn’t mean extra effort or planning.

A second factor is the rise of sugar and fat-laden foods that are so readily available. We’ve gone from consuming roughly 2 kilos of sugar a year at the end of the 1800s to roughly the same in a week (!). Cheaper and quick-to-prepare/order ready meals, ideal for our fast pace of life, add to the problem.

Performance-driven identity

What’s the problem here? Sure, when I am scoffing my face with these rather tasty Bojangles Christmas chocolates (I’ve got to finish them soon, right!?), I feel good – for a while. But then the guilt and self-loathing begins. And the comparisons – I’ll never be as fit as so and so. Unlike my brother, I’ll never be able to give up chocolate!

And when I’m winning in the gym? I feel good – for a while. And then I start comparing myself to others again. This time, my verdict is that I’m more disciplined, committed….better.

There is such a temptation to let my performance in fitness (but not only there, in so many other arenas too) dictate my identity. To determine who I can look down on to make me feel better…accepted…saved even.

Acceptance-driven identity

This is where the message of Christianity is such good news. We are accepted by God, not because of what we do, but what Jesus has done.

As Tim Keller famously said,

The gospel is the good news of gracious acceptance…Christians who trust in Christ for their acceptance with God, rather than in their own moral character, commitment, or performance, are simul iustus et peccator – simultaneously sinful yet accepted. We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope at the same time.’

I don’t have to perform for anyone. My self-worth and identity isn’t dependent on how I look, or how hard I’ve worked, or if I’m fitter than someone else.

As Keller finishes his excellent little booklet ‘The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness’:

Like (the apostle) Paul, we can say, ‘I don’t care what you think. I don’t even care what I think. I only care about what the Lord thinks.’ And he has said, ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’, and, ‘You are my beloved child in whom I am well pleased’.

My hard work is a response to the ultimate work Jesus did for me in dying on the cross to free me from pride and find a stable identity, accepted in him. As a Christ-follower, when in the gym, and in life, I can let my acceptance drive my performance – not the other way around.

4 Reasons England vs Iceland shouldn't be replayed

Millions want us to replay it. 

'If only they'd known the despair it would cause' said Bob on 5Live.

Roy losing his job.

Grown men crying on the radio.

A nation shamed.

Gary phoned TalkSport and cried, 'If only the team had known the effect it would have on their country perhaps they'd have tried harder'.

Here are 4 reasons why some believe we should replay the game and my response:

1. 'The players didn't fully grasp the consequences of losing '

The shame. The embarrassment. Fans will be out of pocket. BBC/ITV will lose viewers. Our world ranking will drop. 

Come on UEFA,this could be catastrophic. Don't let a minnow like Iceland ruin things! 

Now we've lost and know all this,surely the players would try harder next time? 

We can't argue for a reply on this basis. 

The signs were there. We've performed poorly up until the game. And with hindsight it's not such a surprise. We've not progressed in Europe for years. 

The players did know - they've grown up watching us fail. They were petrified of losing and didn't put forward a positive case on the pitch to remain in the competition.

And yet the consequences will be short lived. In 2 years there'll be another manager. We'll recover. Let's take a deep breath and gain perspective. The Premier League will carry on,we'll negotiate some other games beyond Europe,and one day we'll come again. 

Furthermore,more English players should go and play in Europe. Our lack of understanding of the game there has led to problems. We don't know the footballing language and culture. Now we're out perhaps everyone may benefit from our team playing the way we know best suits us, which I believe will mutually benefit teams across the continent. 

2. 'Millions want it replayed '

How dare Iceland have the nerve to beat us? We'd go much further in the competition! Indeed before the game all the experts said England should win, surely they're right?

And so I bet if we held a petition we could get millions demanding a replay - there, surely we can't ignore that! Iceland only have a population of 330,000!

The thing is,we lost. I don't like it. But this is how it works. The rules were clear,the playing field level,the consequences of losing outlined. And we still lost.

3. 'Iceland are a pub team,we'd beat them 99 times out of 100'.

The problem is,if we replay this game,what precedent does that set? 

If you are the underdog,don't bother,because those who know best will demand a reply until he 'correct result' is achieved.

I honestly think the majority football world would be devastated. You know, places where corruption rules,betting lords have influence, and associations will annul results riding roughshod over the players.

 

We must respect the system we have, where a game that takes place in safety, players are paid enough to not need to throw games...and so on.

We can't change the rules because we don't like the result. 

This principle is more important than our exiting the European championships! We played the game,took a risk,and lost. But let's not undermine the rules,because that would be to do worse than lose in the first place.

4. 'Iceland,Slovakia,Russia and their negative methods'

I have often heard the complaint that teams have used dodgy tactics to win. Parking the bus. Not playing, just defending. If they would only play some football,have some ambition - then we might win, insinuated Roy.

The fact is, both teams tried to do what it took to win. Both sides bent the rules at times.And yet England made all sorts of errors. Like trying to play 4-3-3 with no in-form wide men in the squad. 

Perhaps most tellingly we failed to really understand Iceland (and Slovakia and Russia before) and assumed that because we wanted to play, we'd win in the end. 

I think we need to work harder at understanding the methods of other teams and address them at source. Then we can stop this talking across one another at press conferences and maybe even learn something from each other before we label teams negative and 'anti-football'.

Finally, we are still in Europe. Our teams will still employ players from all over the world. They are welcome. We're not about to 'send players home' because we're out of the Euros. There's an exciting future ahead....now let's enjoy the rest of the tournament!

Chris Froome's Biblical Secret to Success

After imperiously winning the Tour de France last year, I along with many others have wondered just how Chris Froome did it. Deep down we’re all desperately hoping he’s not another Lance Armstrong!

 

And so with this year’s TDF coming around again I recently read Froome’s autobiography to try and find out just how he did it.

 

Overall it is an entertaining read and a great insight into the life of a professional cyclist. But for me, this paragraph seemed to stick out a mile:

 

‘…back in Nairobi I joined old friends…for parties and nights out. Being teenagers, and fairly affluent, my friends were drinking and smoking joints. I mentioned the nights out to Kinjah (his cycling mentor) and he was not at all impressed. I was surprised at how strict and stern he was with me. That was not the way to go, he said. It definitely made an impact with me. I realised I couldn’t live fully in both worlds. I would have to choose. Being a good sufferer on the bike, the choice was easy (p51)’.

Later on he describes his training rides whilst at boarding school in South Africa; every day he snuck out at 5am into the freezing cold to do a 3 hour training ride with his mate Matt. Yes - every day of the week!

‘As we ride, the air pushes against us and bumps us about. My lips are cracked from the cold…it’s like being dipped in frost. I shiver and shudder down the slope of long dark hills. It’s love though. Every ache and chill. Me and my Colnago and these hills. In love, everybody hurts. If you are serious about bikes and hills, it hurts (p58)’.

This discipline, this single-mindedness is phenomenal. Froome understands that to succeed in this relationship with his bike it requires his all. It means suffering. It means sacrifice. It means discipline.

But as he says later:

‘I found that from the pain came satisfaction, from the suffering, joy’ (p61).

What a challenge that is! Froome is in love with the suffering on his training rides. And he says that the joy of a stage win, and ultimately his glorious Tour de France win, makes it all worthwhile.

In fact, his writing could almost be taken from the Bible:

‘More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…’ (Romans 5:3-4)

This almost-religious language that Froome uses got me thinking.

Can I say the same about my relationship with Jesus?

Will I single-mindedly set aside my comfort and distractions (both unhealthy and healthy) to pursue him?
Even if it means early mornings?
Even if it hurts?
Even if it means sacrifice?

There’s something inside us, and I believe it is God-given, that knows that real joy comes through sacrifice, endurance and suffering.

That is the Gospel.

That is the call to each who trusts in Christ.
There is no easy ride...that is not how God has designed it.

And yet I find myself looking for the easy ride.

I look to side-step the training.
Because it’s hard.
Because it hurts.
Because it’s costly.
Because choosing to live fully in God’s will comes at a price.
Because unlike Froome, I don’t suffer easily.

And yet the joy of finishing this race will mean it is all worthwhile. We find the ultimate inspiration, the guarantee of a glorious finish, by looking at Jesus himself:

‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

At the end of my earthly race, which has a prize far greater than the Yellow Jersey, I hope that I will be able to say with the apostle Paul:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)

 

 

YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

I love tennis court tantrums. John McEnroe gave some of the best. He was a brilliant player, but most associate him with his ranting at poor umpires, unleashing verbal volleys in their direction and (my favourite bit), destroying his racket.

McEnroe's phrase 'You cannot be serious' has gone down in folklore. I use it regularly when being beaten on a tennis court, blaming my racquet, the weather or the balls (not my ability, or lack of it, of course).

But can the phrase can be applied to our generation today?

 

Do we have difficulty engaging in serious thought about the meaning of life and spiritual truths?

 

Instant relief from seriousness

100 years ago serious thought wasn’t a problem. But now we live in an entertainment-driven, satisfy-yourself-in-an-instant culture.

You can watch any film you like. 

Listen to any music you fancy on your smartphone.

All at the touch of a button.

On that 5 minute bus journey home you can update your Facebook status. 

After watching disturbing developments in Ukraine we can flick channels and cheer ourselves up with an episode of Glee or Homeland.

 

This blog post will likely only get few clicks, especially from Facebook, which gives instant relief from the temptation of seriousness, especially posts that talk about it!

 

Serious = boring

People like me who talk of seriousness are equated with being boring. In fact, seriousness has been redefined from its dictionary meaning: 'concerned with grave, important, or complex matters, problems, etc.; weighty'.

"He's just so serious" is a phrase which really means "he's so boring, he's no fun to be around and he won't make you feel good about yourself". 

I’m not saying we should be 'serious' all the time - there are times for lightheartedness, relaxation etc (and even thinking about some ‘serious’ topics can be enjoyable!).

 

Why we should embrace seriousness

Issues of life and death, salvation, redemption and sanctification are weighty, important, complex matters which deserve and demand serious thought and contemplation. 

Great thinkers of years ago like Jonathan Edwards and modern-day authors like John Piper write as they do because they have often looked deeply into God’s word through the hardest of circumstances, asking God difficult questions and not letting go until they have an answer.

Where is our serious thought? When do we ever really get into the Bible, challenge our thinking, and ask God to reveal himself to us over several hours and not just several seconds?

 The Psalmist in Psalm 119 has clearly spent many hours and days considering God’s word. In Titus 2:7 the Apostle Paul urges those of the faith to ‘…show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned…'. The benefits to us as Christians are immeasurable.

 

 

Thriving in an entertainment-addicted culture

Entertainment – the mindless, trashy, superficial kind of stuff.  A drug as addictive and harmful as a class A drug like heroin - dulling the senses, bringing a momentary rush of pleasure or escapism.

 

Yes we can enjoy some of it. I’m a secret fan of Downton Abbey for goodness sake!

But we need to be careful; many Christians are just as addicted as everyone else.

As well as the Bible, consider taking some time out to read something more meaty; perhaps a classic book by someone like JC Ryle or Andrew Murray. Perhaps meet up with someone and discuss it, and learn how to balance enjoying our culture whilst not selling out to it.

Engaging with an entertainment-addicted culture

We need to use imaginative and relevant methods of reaching people where they are. Media such as blogs, podcasts, television and radio are essential to this. Keeping up with popular culture to connect with people where they are at is useful. Let's not let this be primarily for our entertainment and escapism, but with a strategic, focussed goal of reaching people for Christ.

 

John McEnroe was (and still is) a great player. His success came from serious dedication. His commentary success today similarly comes from seriously studying the game.

Yes, he is a wit. Yes, his tantrums could be funny. But he had to be serious to succeed.

 

Can you be serious?

 

3 things rugby has taught me about leadership

The 6 Nations kicks off tomorrow and I can’t wait. This year the tournament is wide open – Wales may be favourites, but have tough trips away to England and Ireland to overcome, whilst England are hoping to build on a promising Autumn Series.

Whoever you support, many of us who have grown up playing rugby have found that it is the best game in the world. Apart from being good for fitness and great fun to play, here’s 3 things rugby has taught me about leadership:

1)      Take your mates with you

You see it all the time. It starts so well. The players go through the phases. The prop takes the ball up, takes the tackle, goes to ground and two of his mates behind him come straight through and remove the opposition, protecting the ball and their teammate.

But then it happens.

At some point, someone picks up the ball, runs away from his teammates and into trouble. He is inevitably tackled (unless he’s Jonah Lomu) and there is no one behind him to protect him. The ball is taken, the player is left with a bruised ego and a bruised head and the opposition have a platform to attack.

Rugby rewards the team. And good leaders know that they need right hand men, men who are there when the going gets tough. Men who are there when the opposition is swarming around them. Men who are there when you drop the ball and risk losing all that you have built.

When a man gets isolated this happens all too often. He stops being accountable and there’s no one to warn him away from the flirtatious new work colleague. He forgets to have fun with his mates and work consumes him. He neglects to get advice on the new car and yes, a month later the clutch has gone.

In short, leaders should only ever go into battle with faithful men one step behind them.

 

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13)

 

2)      Respect the referee. And each other

Rugby taught me from a young age that people have something to give, even when their appearance makes me doubt (the fat kid in my class giving me a welcome when I tried to run through him is one instance I remember - I think).

Whether you have power, pace, jumping prowess, a Jason Robinsonesque side-step, handling or technical skills you can have an impact in a rugby team. Tall or short, stocky or lanky there is a place for everyone.

In today’s world this is often not so. We are taught to demean others who do not fit the social mould. We fight our corner at work – even colleagues become the enemy and we gossip and smear them to elevate ourselves. We are taught to disrespect others in order to build up both ourselves and our team. But real leaders, leaders with integrity, value their team and look to bring out their gifts and talents, letting them loose on the opposition.

And as we know, as well as respecting each other, rugby players respect the referee. Ok, you may get a bad decision. It may even cost you the match. But players don’t hound referees, the crowd doesn’t sing about the referees private habits and coaches don’t come out spitting blood, blaming their defeat on anyone but themselves.

Leaders must respect people over and above whether they think they have been wronged, over and above a win or a loss, and over and above their own pride. It is as they treat people with dignity that we they will be credible, self-controlled leaders with a sense of perspective on what’s really important in life.

 

3)      Clean you own kit

Leaving your dirty kit to mum to wash may be ok when you are a kid and you’re nursing 10 broken bones when you get home. But when you’re in your 20s or 30s it is not cool. You may have been the big man, scored the winning try, made a heroic try-saving tackle. But you can wash your kit. You should never think you’re too good for that.

Real leaders do the dirty work. They may get attention and adulation out there, but real leaders don’t then go home and abuse their wife or refusing to help her with the kids. They don’t go to church and refuse to clean the toilets when no-one else is willing.

No. Real leaders set an example whether they are being watched or not. Whether they are being rewarded or not. Whether the work is glamorous or not. Because real leaders know that they are submitting to their real leader, Jesus Christ, who rewards for the small acts of obedience, both seen and unseen.

 

So, I look forward to a great tournament and may the best team (England obviously) win.

 

 

 

Wiggins or Cavendish? Sprinter or team leader? Which team role best derscribes you?

 

Thought cycling was boring? Yes, I did too, but read on

 

Cycling is all about the team, and within each cycling team are a number of different roles. In fact, all teams depend on each person fulfilling their role. Knowing our strengths can help us  function at our very best in whatever team we are in.

 

So, which role on the cycling team describes you best?

 

Team leader

The one best placed to win the overall race. They are in for the long haul, the ones the other riders support and work for, the figureheads. They have all round ability at the sprints, climbs and time trials. Very few are made for this role, but in the right hands it can mean the difference to team success or failure. Leadership ability, people skills and communication are key.

 

In teams these are often the people everyone wants to be.  The lead pastor. The CEO. Everyone knows their name. They are seen as the ‘gifted’ one. But it is not an easy job. You are exposed. The expectations and scrutiny are often very intense. Without your team around you, you are lost. 

 

Sprinter

The glory boys, going for stage victories. Mark Cavendish is the best among them at the moment. Sprinters are often nowhere to be seen for the whole race and then come out at the end and bang, it’s in the bag. They are the ultimate finishers.

 

 

 

In teams these are the guys there to the end. They are happy to stick with it even when others drop out because they sense the chance to finish first, and when they do it brings glory to the whole team and their cause.

 

Lead out man

The one who leads his sprinter to victory. He stays close to the front of the pack, piloting the sprinter through the smallest of gaps. In the last few hundred metres, he unleashes his own drive before launching his man toward the finish. 

 

In teams lead out men are the starters, the visionaries, the initiators. They see things and start them off, but are often too impatient (or too tired!) to stick around to see them finished. Whilst often not around at the end their ability to start projects and release others is invaluable.

 

Domestique

The ultimate team-worker. Domestiques bring water and food from team cars and shield teammates from opponents. They help teammates with mechanical disasters and may even sacrifice their bike. They keep the team fed and watered. Their role is the least glamorous yet one of the most important.

 

In teams they are the workers, those who get on with the job while the strategists and ‘leaders’, well, strategise and lead I guess. They are the unsung heroes of any team.

 

Lieutenant

An accomplished teamworker, the lieutenant is called upon during critical times. Her job is to stay with the team leader as long as possible, providing support ranging from the very bike she’s riding to a subtle psychological boost. On a hard climb she might lift the pace to shed others and keep her leader in front. At the 2012 Tour de France Chris Froome was famously Sir Bradley Wiggins’ right hand man, encouraging his man to push for victory.

 

 

In teams, lieutenants are absolutely key for the team leader. They often have a very different personality to the leader and are the one the leader can and should listen to, especially in a crisis.

 

Road captain

Often the most experienced rider, the ‘wise head’ of the team. He is the strategist. He’s been there and done it all and now passes advice on to the other riders. This might be tactical tips such as when to anticipate crosswinds.

 

In teams road captains are essential. They are the source of knowledge you won’t find in books. Listening to them may be the difference between success and failure. Without their wise advice even the best leaders can struggle.

 

Rouleur

This rider’s value is in her ability to set pace for hours with little help. For example, she is the one who controls breakaways by holding them in check, or keeping the pace high enough that no one can get away in the first place. 

 

In teams the rouleur is often the enthusiastic one who drives the team on. When the team are behind schedule, she will ensure they know what they need to do to catch up. Her eye is on the goal, the prize of finishing the race as well as possible.

 

 

So which role(s) best describes you? How can you maximise the impact you have in the team(s) you serve in?