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"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Coaches and athletes often times feel like they are juggling many multi colored balls at once hoping to keep them all moving with precision and accuracy and yet anxious about dropping even one of them. The responsibilities that coaches and athletes have to their sport, family, academics, community, administration and fans can be all consuming all at the same time. As a coaches wife I can testify to the juggling and the anxiety that goes on in sports in delivering a successful outcome.
Over time I grew in my awareness and desire to balance it all to God’s glory. While Craig was working with the Tennessee Titans in the early 2000’s, I always looked forward to our chapel time before games. Each guest speaker would share a message that often times felt like it was just for me. The peace I would feel leaving the Family Room to go up into the stadium set the tone for my God centered mindset. This mindset allowed me to watch the game in peace while focusing on the game without fretting the outcome. I did not sit there juggling in my mind all the scenarios of losing and what that could mean to my family. I could “walk” by faith to my seat believing that no matter what happened in the game, we would be ok.
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So what does walking by faith mean and how do we “walk by faith, not by sight” when the world we live in places such a high regard for wins over losses? Walking by faith means having an eternal mindset rather than an earthly mindset. It means fixing your eyes on Jesus as the object of your hope, peace, purpose, and passions. Some might say, that sounds out of touch with reality, but rather it means so much more. Walking by faith shows resiliency, and engagement in the process of building something special while trusting and believing Jesus has a plan for you to be right where you are so you do not have to feel like you are juggling more than you can handle, because He is with you.
Walking by faith doesn’t mean you won’t experience challenges, but rather your challenges turn your focus to Jesus and what He will do for you while in the midst of those challenges. When challenges come in your sport and you are walking by faith, resiliency grows in your character. During Covid 2020 the sports world grew in resilience. Coaches and athletes learned new words like “Sheltering in” and “Covid testing.” Schedules changed and fans disappeared. Some teams even moved their fall season to the spring. But, eventually most seasons continued after a pause, and slowly life returned to a new normal. There is no doubt that if we ever go through a pandemic again we will be more prepared.
How does engagement factor into walking by faith? When difficulty arises your focus turns to those you are responsible for and to. Seeing people from an eternal perspective rather than an earthly perspective will challenge you to seek what’s best for others and not just what’s best for you. It prompts unity and a synergy to work together to accomplish greater team goals not yet realized rather than just individual goals. Walking by faith will teach you to see people as God sees them; uniquely gifted and a vital part of TEAM. Balancing sport with faith will yield true success off the playing field or courts as well as on! The opportunity for personal and kingdom impact will far outlast any earthly record you leave behind!
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As a Coach what challenges you the most when you consider walking by faith as you look at the the wins and loss column? How will you adopt an eternal perspective over an earthly one as you coach?
As an athlete, when challenges come what is your response, faith or fear? What holds you back from trusting in Jesus to to guide your through your career? Who will you share this with to talk things over?
What does “Walking by faith” look like in your life today? How are you currently balancing sport and faith?
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2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Romans 1:12
Matthew 5:16
Luke 11:35