Give it Back!

At 6:30am the music and mood changes in the high school weight room. That is the time when a group of high school athletes are lead by a trainer who is motivating them to push themselves physically. The hit songs of the 70’s and 80’s are drastically changed to current music that is loud and driving. Studies have shown that a group of athletes lifted more weight more quickly when they listened to the same music as a previous session, but the music volume and speed were slightly increased.

Sometimes before the loud, driving genre of music is played the trainer will put a motivational audio of Arnold Schwarzenegger giving six ways to become a champion. Schwarzenegger talks about not being afraid to fail, breaking boundaries, and working hard. His final point surprised me. He told the future champions to give back.  Schwarzenegger points out that people have given for our benefit and the proper response is to give something back.

The idea of passing on to others has taken off in “pay it forward” challenges by various radio stations and organizations. Stories are told about experiences where a person was going to pay for the next customer’s cup of coffee at the drive through only to find out that their coffee was paid for by someone giving it back.

Giving back can happen when you volunteer coach, host a foreign exchange student, clean up a park,  when you volunteer as a big brother or sister or volunteer at your local church. When you donate your time and talent to your community, you benefit those around you and you benefit yourself.

Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

What ways does God use you to “give it back”?
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