The athletes of God

Notably, the athletes of God. The athletes of God.

Key points

• Case Chair of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Ridgeland, Mississippi.
• 9 Ole Miss and Kewan Lacy head to Vanderbilt with Jared Curtis trying to return.
• Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians receives $12 million in federal grants to expand economic development drivers.
• Huntington Bank investing over $40 million to modernize Tupelo operations center, regional headquarters.
• Hyde-Smith, Guest, Ezell among congressional members urging investigation into Planned Parenthood.

Notably, the athletes of God. The athletes of God. By: Matt Friedeman – October 11, 2026.

Offer your whole-hearted life to Him. Then accept the disciplines by which grace will flow abundantly into your life.

I have joined a local gym to try and concentrate on bodily fitness as I age. Pushing, pulling, cardio, reps, sets, sweat, fatigue. And between sets you don't have to be in the gym long to recognize who is really serious regarding fitness protocols.and who is not.

For starters, the ones who actually show up are far more serious than those who don't. And as anyone will tell you, these gyms in our cities and towns embrace a business model that create their profit primarily off of those who sign up but rarely – or never – show up. Planet Fitness, for instance, lately noted that approximately 40% of its members applied its gyms within a 30-day period in 2023 – 60% did not. And what's true there is true elsewhere. For context, a whole lot of individuals who sign up to work out never show out. As in none. Zip. Nada.

Straightforward to sign up. Hard, apparently, to follow-through.

Which might explain the need for the Desert Fathers (and Mothers, really). They had signed up for Christ in the fourth century during the tough era of persecution, but when acceptance, ease and comfort came for the Church persecution died out and assimilation and compromise were elbowing in. Hence, these saints decided to withdraw to the desert. Author Richard Foster notes that they could be best understood as the Athletae Dei (Latin for the "athletes of God") who juxtaposed their inquiries of life with those of the world around them.

According to Foster, their world asked "How can I get more?" The Desert Fathers and Mothers asked, "What can I do without?" Their world asked "How can I find myself?" The Desert Fathers and Mothers asked "How can I lose myself?" Their world asked, "How can I win friends and influence people?" The Fathers and Mothers asked, "How can I love God?"

As spiritual "athletes" they sought to pray without ceasing (especially praying through the Psalms), they meditated upon and memorized lengthy Bible portions, they entered into long periods of silence and solitude, they fasted regularly and for extended days and weeks, they dedicated themselves to voluntary poverty, they extended hospitality to those who would come to their domiciles and ask for advice and wisdom.

Running throughout these spiritual disciplines and questions were basically two principles – self-denial and discipline. The Athletae Dei were simply mirroring what excellence in virtually any worthwhile field of endeavor demands. And in virtually any Christian era of renewal you will see these same principles at the core. This isn't by happenstance. It was Jesus who lived out one of more well-known of His teachings: "Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me." Movements of religiosity that try to obtain to excellence any other way lack the wisdom of biblical teaching that always coincides with great spiritual profit.

Back to my gym. As I work out I often think of what the guys I applied to work out with would say concerning the work ethic discovered there. My gym makes sure you know there is "No Judgement!" anywhere inside of their place. But it could stand some.um, judging. I once worked out at the university and for workout partners I lifted with the National Strength Coach of the year and a couple of pro football players (current and future). It was, to put it lightly, all business all the time. Twice a day workouts (the first starting at 6: 00 am) and it was a matter of full attention physically, emotionally, mentally. Today, my non-judgmental gym has individuals doing a set then sitting down on a bench to look at their smartphones for five minutes before doing another set before checking out their social media again for another five minutes.

That mentality was what the Athletae Dei were, among other things, running from in their day.

Want to be one of God's athletes today? Offer your whole-hearted life to Him, of course. Then accept the disciplines by which grace will flow abundantly into your life – prayer, Bible study, fasting, church and small group attendance, the Lord's supper, evangelism of the lost service to the needy. And these continually, day after day, week after week, year after year.

That's the workout of the Almighty. And you don't need to pay dues in the desert to do it. Regarding the Author(s).

Dr. Matt Friedeman holds the John M. Case Chair of Evangelism and Discipleship at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He is the husband of Mary, the dad of six kids and the author of a number of books. Faith Alistair Begg October 7, 2026. Vengeance is the Lord's.

Christians are not to take justice into their own hands. Rather, we are to entrust the repayment of evil to the authorities God has put in place. More From This Author. Faith Matt Friedeman October 5, 2026. Paralyzed by fear? Jesus has an answer for that. Faith Matt Friedeman September 28, 2026. The 'Mississippi Miracle' and what it can mean for the Church. Faith Matt Friedeman September 20, 2026. What football can teach us regarding discipleship. Faith Alistair Begg October 9, 2026. Putting the pieces together. Faith Alistair Begg October 6, 2026.

Be honest with yourself.

Be specific regarding how you have sinned against the Lord. Though "our sins they are many, His mercy is more." Faith Alistair Begg October 5, 2026, then you will be ready to embrace the most joyful news in the world: that each day. Worshipping through trial and toil.

We need to learn to live with the awareness that every matter we accord with, every moment we spend, and every move we produce is an opportunity to bring glory and praise to God. News Frank Corder October 9, 2026. Hyde-Smith, Guest, Ezell among congressional members urging investigation into Planned Parenthood. News Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press October 9, 2026. Americans 75 and older are wealthiest age group, Fed survey finds. News Jeremy Pittari October 9, 2026.

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians receives $12 million in federal grants to expand economic development drivers. Business Cass Rutledge October 7, 2026.

Huntington Bank investing over $40 million to modernize Tupelo operations center, regional headquarters. Business Cass Rutledge October 6, 2026. Westwin Elements investing $502 million to establish nickel refinery in Natchez. Business Cass Rutledge October 2, 2026. Gasifier manufacturer Janus Organization bringing 13 jobs to Greenwood. Culture Susan Marquez October 9, 2026. Award-winning Nashville country singer-songwriter brings high-energy performance to Downtown Greenville. Culture Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press October 8, 2026.

No. 9 Ole Miss and Kewan Lacy head to Vanderbilt with Jared Curtis trying to return. Culture Alistair Begg October 8, 2026. Opinion Roger Wicker October 9, 2026. Permit reform act is a much-needed course correction. Opinion Delbert Hosemann October 8, 2026. Hosemann: It is time for Mississippi to ban all kratom products. Opinion Sid Salter October 7, 2026.

Growing calls to suspend or eliminate federal and state gas taxes have consequences.

Taken together, the developments around the athletes of God point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.