Momentary Lapse in Judgement?

I did something last night that I think I will regret.  There are few (3) people in this world who are familiar with my attitude towards losing.  And now, with delusions of grandeur, I have set myself up for a inevitable losing streak.  My name is NOT Iceland Annie or Kristin Clever or Sam Briggs or even Julie Fouchet.  But for some reason last night I saw myself as an equal with them and registered to compete in the CrossFit Games Open.  What?! Why would I purposely set myself up for failure?!  I mean, I have never competed at crossfit for fear of my weaknesses being on display.  I desperately want to get faster and stronger and smash PRs, but to do it in front of other athletes who are faster and stronger just makes me feel weak, insignificant, and embarrassed.

On the other hand, the verse from Timothy reminds me that "God did not give [me] a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."  I know this is actually a word of encouragement to Timothy from Paul that applies to his ministry of spreading the gospel and pastoring a flock, but I also see it as encouragement to do everything without fear and maybe even to attempt things that are uncomfortable.  So my fear of everybody seeing my weakness is contradictory to this very promise.  In my weakness, He is strong.  Having such fear in endeavoring to compete in a CrossFit competition may seem trivial and possibly even superficial, but it is real and present.  I believe God uses every circumstance and encounter to accomplish his will and this is no different.  This will be an opportunity to give God the glory in every attempt. My prayer is that I will not be timid, that I will be self-disciplined, and that the love of the Holy Spirit would flow through me and give me an attitude of love for all competitors, especially the ones that beat me.

Now to the games.  If you're not familiar, this is how it goes.  There are 5 weeks in the Open where each week a WOD (workout of the day) is posted for the world to see.  Every athlete who is registered then has 96 hours to do the WOD and it be valid.  Validation occurs by being judged at an affiliated box (gym) or by submitting a video of yourself doing the WOD.  Once your WOD is validated you are ranked among every other competitor in the WORLD.  The top competitors go to Regionals then to the CrossFit Games in California to compete for the title of "Fittest On Earth".  The process is intense.  It is high-octane.  It is grueling.  It is more fun than you can imagine.  I'm excited to embark on this Mount Everest and to see how God works in and through me.  Join me on this roller coaster ride and maybe even watch me on ESPN in July.