The Greater Gain - Ruth Ng

Knowing Jesus changes your perspective, not knowing it only in your brain, but when you experience it.   Sport is such a powerful experience because it’s so intense compared to other things in life. Sometimes we live in a comfortable place, we don’t have enough challenges to really discover who God is. But sport is a powerful platform that allows us to challenge ourselves and see our true identities. When I go through those things I realize I’m really very week in many ways. Knowing that Jesus accepts me and that He Himself struggled as well makes me know that I don’t have to be ashamed when I struggle. I know He could overcome and likewise, I can overcome.   I used to punish myself emotionally about my losses. That’s worse than a physically bashing because it haunts you for months afterward. Then every time you have a defeat it comes back to your mind.   But I began to truly understand that Jesus bore my pain. He’s not about being perfect, He’s about the need for His perfection and the need for His grace that you don’t deserve. You have love that is beyond what you could imagine. You could never earn this. And this doesn’t give you a reason to slack off though!   Knowing Jesus gives me the confidence, security and perspective to know that bashing myself isn’t the way to go. The greater gain would be if I could stand up after a loss and laugh at myself, because Jesus would be smiling at me, walking with me through it, and telling me to try again.   — Ruth Ng, professional fencer