Lessons in Sports

There are many lessons that I learned about being a Christ-follower from sports.  This was due to a lot of time spent at F.C.A. camps and huddles.  I learned that the Bible calls us to persevere and to live a life of discipline.  These are concepts that made sense to me as an athlete in high school.  In addition I learned that I needed a fellowship of believers to be a part of my team.  There is no way to succeed without relying on others.  Even a football player could understand this concept.  These are truths that shaped me.  I had the experience that went along with this teaching.  It was relevant to me.  

I pray that my son connects with the same lessons.  God has given him some amazing athletic gifts.  I am in awe at some of the things he can do with his body.  I am starting to see him develop the burning desire to win.  He has moved from playing sports as something fun to do to pass the time and is starting to see it as part of who he is.  He has switched into the thrill of competition.  He believes in his team and himself.  I see his eyes change when he is on the field.  He has the look of a warrior.  He is alive and knows his purpose at that moment.  He knows what he is supposed to be doing.

I believe that is the way God calls us to live.  God wants us to be alive.  He wants us to live with a passion and desire that drives us.  God has gifted each one of us for his purpose.  He has a path set before us that is full of life and of adventure.  Christ never called anyone to be a church member that sits in a chair on Sunday morning.  He told the disciples; "Come Follow Me"  The disciples did not know what that would entail, but they felt alive, they knew their purpose at that moment.

My prayer is that my son takes the lessons from the sports field and becomes a man who pursues God with the same intensity that he does sports right now.  I am thankful that I get to see him go through the ups and downs of a sport season.  I am thankful that God continues to give me a purpose and a desire that drives me event after my playing days are long gone.

What has God give you that drives you on a daily basis?

I am God's Creation

There are two definite sides of me. Two things that I am passionate about and invest time and energy into. They both are rewarding and move me. However, they are not usually found in the same person. Some would say that they are polar opposites. God created me this way and I am very thankful.

I have spent a lot of time in my life around sports. I love to watch sports on TV and in person. I have coached my son's football and baseball teams. In the fall I officiate high school football games. I love the experience of Friday Night Lights. The passion of the players and of the fans is inspiring. Do not tell anyone but I would work those games for free. However, they give me a check and my wife appreciates the fact that my hobby makes money. There is a major part of my personality that is wrapped up in sports.

One of the greatest gifts that God gives us is the ability to compete. I believe competition is a tool that is used to reveal what is really inside us. What our character is made of. This reveals some greatness in people that they did not realize they were capabe of. However, like many things it also reveals the truly ugly side of some people. This can be disheartening to see, but it takes a pressure cooker to reveal what is really on the inside of someone's heart.

Sports is also a major part of my relationship with my son. He has been given some amazing athletic ability. He works hard at developing that ability as a way to honor God. So that means that I spend a lot of time talking about sports and watching him compete. (Not that I really mind) We did not adopt him until he was 9 and I firmly believe that I was intended to be his dad. Sports was our first connection and is a vehicle that we use to disuss God.

The other part of me is a creative personality. I spend hours creating new and unique ways to present the truths of God. I write and direct dramas and have recently started to assist in creating videos. In addition I love to come up with new and unique object lessons that create God's truth.

I have the spiritual gift of administration and have spent years using that gift to create and environment that allows artist to create and communicate their passions. This started as a volunteer service. It has become clear to me over the years of serving on church programming staffs that I truly have a need in my life to be creative. It naturally comes out of me and I miss it when I do not get to create.

It amazes me that at 35 years old I am just realizing that I need to create. This need and desire to create does not line up with the side of me that drives to compete. These are the sides of me that live in tension with each other. Each side is God give and brings me great satisfaction. However, they do not seem to compliment each other.

I am thankful that God created me the way that he did. I will continue to follow his path and allow him to use both parts of me. I am now and always will be God's creation.