That athlete is ‘in the zone!’
We hear that phrase in sports all the time, but what does it mean? First, let’s consult Merriam-Webster to define “zone.”
(Noun)—An area or stretch of land having a particular characteristic, purpose, use or subject to particular restrictions. Example: a pedestrian zone / the government has declared the area a disaster zone / a no-smoking zone.
Basically, the definition of “zone” connotes boundaries, something that gives us a much clearer picture and, in some cases, certain rules to abide by.
But, there are folks who smoke in a no-smoking zone or people who forget to switch their watches when traveling from one time zone to another, and disagreeing with what a zone calls for can create problems.
There are football players who score a touchdown by arriving in the end zone, but when they get there they have no idea how to behave. Instead of acting like they’ve been there before, they isolate themselves from their teammates and put on a “look at me” show. Then, when the official throws a flag for excessive celebration, well, that’s another problem.
Other times in sports the phrase “in the zone” goes beyond the typical “boundaries” definition. It refers to a “groove,” when everything an athlete is doing seems to be working. Confidence is high, and they’re consistently succeeding.
It’s an unusual, exhilarating experience because it involves an extremely high level of concentration and gives you the courage to take risks you wouldn’t normally take. The game slows down. The way athletes describe being “in the zone” suggests that some outside power showed up one day and allowed them to perform at such an optimal level.
God has a zone, too, and Psalm 24:1 (ESV)gives us a great definition of the “God zone” for the Christ-follower: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (and all that fills it), the world and those who dwell therein...”
The whole earth—and all that fills it—is in the God zone. Every person that has lived or ever will live is in the God zone.
In my opinion, the realization and acceptance of being in the God zone is the most thrilling “in the zone” experience we could ever know.
It isn’t constrained to a single moment, but rather to an eternal lifetime. It’s the place where Jesus has control of us—when we’ve willingly allowed Him to have free reign.
At an FCA retreat several years ago, a former college quarterback shared one of his “in the zone” experiences when he was playing as a true freshman. He came off the bench late in the game and completed seven straight passes to lead his team to a comeback victory. His jubilant teammates carried him off the field, and he became the starter for the rest of his college career, continually pinpointing that “in the zone” experience as his defining moment.
Up until the FCA retreat, that is.
There, he realized that he was not in God’s zone during his life-altering game. He was scared to death, fearing that people would think less of him if he failed. Despite what he described as fear and selfishness while guiding his team, everything turned out well for him.
But he had no sense of Christ during that game.
This special “in the zone” comeback victory and personal success had been all about him—and not about Christ. I’ll never forget this young man, who publicly confessed his sin of selfishness and repented from performing for the applauses of people rather than for Christ alone.
As a Christian, the Lord wants you to continually experience His zone. There are two places to do sports—in God’s zone or in man’s zone. Being in God’s zone means Christ’s power is in you, not outside of you. When you truly allow Jesus Christ to intimately be Lord in every practice and every game, you’ll experience the God zone as He conforms you into His very image.
For Christians, to be “in the zone” is to experience Jesus performing through you. It isn’t about some feeling or having a special day where everything just seems to go well.
It’s an intentional, conscious choice to worship Jesus Christ while you’re competing.
Originally Published: November 2012