TEAM SPORTS:

• Each play is completely separate from the last one(s).  It's very important not to let the previous plays and/or mistakes affect your attitude toward the current one.  Similarly, if you make a mistake in life, do not dwell on it.  Analyze what went wrong, learn from it, and try not to repeat it as best as you can.  But don't let it affect your performance for the next task that you face (that God has lined up for you).  The next minute/hour/day is it's own problem and opportunity.  Do not forget that no matter what happened yesterday or over the last week, month, year, etc, God can change things radically from one moment to the next.  Today can be as different from yesterday as day is to night.  Believe it and live today as if it is another separate play from all of the previous ones.
   
• When playing sports, to play your best, you should expect to leave your blood, sweat, tears, and guts on the field.  Your should have the mentality that you're going to play as hard as you can until it kills you.  Similarly, in regards to your spiritual life, do not give up.  Serve God with the mindset that you're going to give Him your everything, your very life.  Don't be afraid to leave your tired and beaten flesh on the mission field, wherever that may be (work, home, abroad, etc).
   
• There are many distinct advantages to playing with a team in a league, versus playing in casual pick up games.
   
  • You can learn much more in a league, because the level of playing is typically much higher.  Similarly, by being in church, the level of dedication to God amongst the people there is going to be much higher than people who go to church for Easter and Christmas, or only once in a while.
     
  • There are usually people on your team who you can learn from, because they been playing for a long time, and have therefore gained much strategy and knowledge of the sport.  Since you are always on the same team, you get to play with them regularly, which allows you to observe them more, develop a relationship with them, and therefore increase your absorption of the knowledge/skills that they have to offer.  So it is with church.  Some people (pastors, staff, etc) make it their full-time job to gain knowledge about and teach the word of God.  There are also fellow Christians who have been in the battle longer than you, or who have at the very least had different experiences than yourself, who you can gain insight and inspiration from.  Being on the same team and spending time with these people is the best way to learn from them.
     

MARTIAL ARTS:

• There is a fighter named Kevin Randleman, who was named one of the top 10 wastes of talent by Sherdog.com (a MMA website).  I couldn't find the original article, but it basically said that "The Monster" (his nickname) is strong, fast, and has great skills, but his biggest problem was that he wouldn't listen to anyone, especially his corner man.  To me, this is a perfect parallel of a Christian who refuses to attend church or participate in "organized religion".  Yes, it's true that you don't need to go to church to be a Christian.  You can make it on your own, but you're never going to realize your full potential without the insight, guidance, and training of your fellow Christians, usually found in a church environment.  When you're facing a significant battle, the prayers and advice of your spiritual "corner men" can be invaluable to winning the battle and ultimately growing spiritually.