What Drives the Disciple?

As I have watched the Olympics, I have noticed a tremendous drive that each athlete has to perform at the very top of their game. Last night Michael Phelps won a gold medal in the breast stroke and set another world record. After the swim he seemed to flip his goggles off and looked a little disappointed. In an interview later that night he said that his goggles started filling up with water, but that was not why he was frustrated. He said that he was frustrated with himself because he knew he could have swam faster. Are you kidding me!!! I would be happy with one gold medal. What drives this guy?

What drives him is a sense to not just beat others in the pool, but to know that he always did his very best! That is why he has given up his social life to train, that is why he spends countless hours in the gym and even more in the pool, that is why he has said "no" when others tried to get him to forget about swimming for a while. He desires to be the very best swimmer possible.

Why do I not have the same commitment when it comes to my spiritual life. What is my goal? Do I desire to be the very best for God? If so, then what am I saying "no" to in order to accomplish my goal? Am I disciplining my body? How about allowing my mind to be transformed?

If I never put a goal to improve my spiritual life, then I will hit what I am aiming for every time. My desire is to be more like an Olympic athlete (think Paul wrote about this) when it comes to my spiritual life. What about you?