Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
I laughed as Shanna and I watched them play football out on West Hills prior to our study. It was a smile of contentment. I like football. God knows I like winning. But this is why I coach! The competitor in me has to constantly be reminded that coaching is simply a means to a higher goal. Today is a win. Today is a victory not far removed from a recent loss.
Just behind my smile is a failure. My mind races to the parent who called to inform me that his son quit the team because of my (he did not say “my” but implied it) over-the-top expectations of the kids. Though did not say over-the-top that is what I heard. I was man enough to accept my failures, make a half-time adjustment and move on. I grieved that loss but put it on the chalk board as another defining moment. Failure can be that moment when we realize that winning is not an end in itself but only a tool. Any talent, ability, or passion that God gives a man that somehow draws other men is ONLY a tool to win those men to Christ. Remember there are no higher stakes on earth higher than the FOREVERS of men. Just as God used football and basketball to win me to Christ through Gary McCuskar, my prayer is that God will use football as a tool in my life to win others.
Paul ran after men who did not follow Christ in order to “By all means save some (22)” and I need to have those words imprinted upon my every word on and off the field.
Everyday I see Christian coaches, myself included, who are hated by some of their players and I have to wonder in those moments, “How do we get to that point? Do we forget the words of Paul? Or like me, at some point along the line do we forget that sports are only a tool.” I find that when I forget this important fact I become a harsh and critical coach. I become everything I do not want to be. I become hated by some and should be pitied by most. Unlike Paul who said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” However, I am often tempted to become all things for all of myself in order to win as much as possible at the expense of winning others to Jesus.
