After injury forced Vancouver Canuck Derek Dorsett to retire suddenly, he said, "Do not feel sorry for me," explaining how grateful he was for a career most never achieve. (Photo By Bure's Triple Deke, CC BY-SA 4.0)
As Christmas approaches we are often asked by our priests, "Are we ready to receive the baby Jesus?"
Advent is all about preparing ourselves to welcome the Lord into our lives. Is there any room at the inn otherwise known as our heart?
This period of preparation can be compared to an athlete getting ready for a big game/match technically, tactically, mentally, and in our attitude of gratitude. There are different types of training needed to be best positioned to succeed in reaching both your athletic and supernatural goals, and in both cases there are obstacles trying to stop you from obtaining that goal.
Building a game plan: Technical and tactical training for the big game will involve knowing your own strengths and weaknesses as well as the opponent's. If your game has some glaring flaws that opponents can exploit then your preparation will require many repetitions and feedback. This will help you be more capable of executing that skill under pressure. Similarly in your spiritual life the devil is ready to attack you where you are most vulnerable, so it is vital that through a good confession, sacrifice, mortification, and constant prayer we strengthen ourselves against this vulnerability.
Trust: In sports when dealing with weaknesses we must have a belief that we can and will improve and that our coach will prepare us well. If you have been through this 100 times then you trust the program. In faith we must have a belief that we can trust God, that we can overcome these challenges and shut out the evil one. After all the times we have been through good and bad with our Lord, surely we cannot doubt that he will help us through. Jesus said he will be with us always until the end of time.
Never underestimate the opponent: This is a mistake made by many up-and-coming athletes and spiritually by Catholic Christians. Sometimes young sports figures become too cocky and relax thinking that their opponent is no threat. For Catholic Christians we similarly sometimes significantly underestimate the devil. Some don't even believe that he exists. It is hard to defend against an opponent that you don't think is real. Do not be caught by surprise attacks; be prepared for fierce opposition. Stay away from areas of temptation and play to your strengths. The devil does not want you bringing Jesus into your life.
Practise how you play: Top athletes stay focused right through their training in order to recreate the intensity they will need in a game. They create situations that will match game conditions. Do the same in your faith life. Do not get too comfortable. Keep a daily plan of life that will help you keep the presence of God always. Negative habits slip back into our life when we are too comfortable. The best defence is often a good offence, so with your gifts engage the world and make an extra effort to make a difference.
Training with gratitude: Successful pros find a deep joy in what they are doing, even the training and prep work. In retirement many talk about how they missed everything about their sport and how blessed they were to be able to play at the highest level.
After being forced to retire suddenly from the NHL recently due to injury, Vancouver Canuck Derek Dorsett said "Do not feel sorry for me." He explained how grateful he was for the career he had, which most never get.
Athletes find great joy in performing their sport and this spurs them on to work harder. Likewise we must live our daily life with a constant sense of gratitude for the opportunities and abundant blessings that we have been given by God. This includes our divine filiation – we are children of God – and God's infinite mercy.
This Christmas why don't we let this gratitude to God lead us to deep joy and inspire us to prepare hard for the coming of his only son Jesus.