The Golden Boy of Boxing, Oscar De La Hoya, took a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics shortly after graduating from high school. He challenged seventeen world champions over the course of his career.
He defeated every one.
He moved through six different weight classes, and in the process, earned ten world titles.
De La Hoya truly earned the nickname “Golden Boy.”
Yet, his mother died when he was seventeen, he was mugged by a gang as a youth, and partying seemed ready to consume his success as a boxer. In the nightmare of those tumultuous times, De La Hoya could have given up on his dreams. At times, he wanted to. What made the difference? He never stopped working to “up his game.”
De La Hoya famously says:
“There is always space for improvement, no matter how long you’ve been in the game.”
As Christians, we sometimes feel like the young De La Hoya. We’ve lost our first love, life has mugged us, and sin seems an attractive alternative. We’re ready to give up our dreams.
How can we regain our spiritual foothold and begin moving forward once again? The Word gives us ten positive steps to improve our game. These are game changers of the highest measure.
Game Changer #1:
Psalm 37:5 gives us our loftiest goal:
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
Game Changer #2:
Jeremiah 26:14 requires that we accept God’s superiority:
“But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you.”
Game Changer #3:
Psalm 37:4 sets praise as our standard:
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Game Changer #4:
Proverbs 16:3 places God at the top of our list:
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Game Changer #5:
Romans 12:2 cautions us against seeking the world’s approval:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Game Changer #6:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us who we belong to:
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Game Changer #7:
Matthew 5:28 raises the level of respect we owe those around us:
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Game Changer #8:
Leviticus 19:28 wishes us to rejoice in the Christian who goes to be with the Father:
“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.”
Game Changer #9:
Romans 8:1 says there are no regrets over past infractions:
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Game Changer #10:
Mark 7:20 says we are defined by the Christ in us:
“And [Jesus] said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him.’ ”
Oscar De La Hoya could have let his circumstances define his future. Yet, what came out of him was a desire to improve his life by casting off the bad things that clouded his past.
He refused to let his past defile his future. He refused to let his dreams die. He determined to step forward into better things, and he became an unqualified success in the boxing world.
God expects the same from us. If we allow despair and bitterness to rob our Christian walk of God’s plan for us, what benefit is that? Instead, let’s be defined by positive thinking, move forward in Christ, and share the love of the Father with everyone we meet. In doing so, we will truly become what we want to be.
When we step up to God's game, the opposition will fall away, and Christ will be Lord over our lives.
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