The ultimate thrill for a baseball player is to see a ball he just hit fly over the ballpark fence for a home run. When we ask Jesus Christ into our lives, we can have that same feeling--one of exhilaration and liberation. We are free from our burdens of sin. But like the ballplayer who hits the homer, we have some "bases" to run in order to get the score.

 

The first base in our Christian walk is CONFESSION: a daily and initial confession of our own sins and mistakes.

 

The second base is SANCTIFICATION: becoming more like Jesus, loving and forgiving others as He forgave us.

 

In yesterday's devo, we talked about our own personal desire to love and serve the Lord, and how that will keep us focused on His game plan. Today, we'll focus on what role desire plays in others. Specifically, what do your words and actions inspire in those around you? 

 

If we are seeking to fulfill Christ's Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20), then our actions should have specific results. We should see the hunger for God's goodness and the thirst for the things of Heaven grow and develop in those around us. 

 

Do you ever worrying about things you can't control? I find myself in a frequent state of anxiety, worrying about things that (more often than not) never happen. I often pray and "give" these situations to God, but then I unintentionally take them back, thinking I have the answer.

 

Back in 2006, the FCA staff in Florida suggested we do a story in STV magazine about the University of Florida Huddle President, Lee Humphrey. Lee was a starter on the Gators' basketball team, and apparently was just an all-around outstanding example of Christ. At the time we received the article idea, however, we were already finished with our college basketball stories for the spring and were unable to do the article.

 

Why do we play sports? What is our priority? Whom are we playing for? These are questions we each struggle with as players and as coaches. If we search our souls, I believe that each of us will find that we all desire to win and that we each play for some personal reason beyond "the team," whether it be for personal glory, personal gratification, etc. 

 

But when we gather together to play as a team, those who thrive have the ability to do two things: 1) put aside their personal goals and priorities, and 2) align themselves with team priorities. Great team victories have been achieved by groups of individuals who determined their priorities and submitted to their team goals.

 

I recently read Rick Warren's book "Better Together" for a series our church was going through. In it he discussed how important it is to share our faith, be a witness and show the love of Christ. One of the analogies he gave was this: "If you knew the cure for cancer or aids, and you kept it a secret, telling no one while millions continued to die, would that be loving? Of course not. If you knew the key to extending human life by 50 years, would you want to share it with others? Of course you would. But as believers who've learned the way to eternal life, we have an even more important, longer lasting, and urgent message to share with the world, and love leaves no choice. Because love cares about the destiny of others."

 

When I played high school basketball there was always one girl from another team that I hated to guard. Not because I was scared of getting beat or scared of doing my best, but because I knew she would push me to my limits. I would be asked to give everything I had in order to help my team win. I had to be sharp.

 

Injuries in sports happen, and players suffer. A common, human response is "Why me?" However, every once in awhile you will find an exception--an exceptional athlete who will not question why, but who will make the most of an experience to show his/her teammates that they can succeed even if they cannot compete. I was privileged to know a young man who did just that. Bryan was a promising walk-on player who earned a scholarship quickly. He was climbing up the depth chart rapidly and moved into the starting lineup. As his junior year approached, he was even predicted to be a pre-season All-Conference player. But then his career took a different turn.

 

Can you hear it? It is coming. Can you feel it? It is almost here. A weekend in which David's meet Goliath's, underdogs battle the overrated, and one team becomes the giant-slayer of the year. Yes, it is March Madness: the 2007 NCAA Basketball Tournament. Sixty-five teams enter, and only one will win. But even though there is only one champion, there are many great stories of triumph along the way.

 

In today's devotion, I intentionally capitalized PRAY in the title. I want to emphasize that I am not talking about the act of praying, but about one who prays. Are you a pray-er? I often talk to coaches and athletes who feel limited by the public school system in regards to what they can do with their faith. The school system can regulate what you say and do, but they cannot touch your prayers. Do you want to have an eternal impact on your players and teammates? Pray for them, often and by name.

 

I recently came across a verse I have read many times: Colossians 4:12-13. Sometimes it takes a different Bible translation to bring it to life. Since FCA is now using the Holman Christian Standard Bible, I was struck by a few things in the passage:

Basketball great, Bob Cousy once said, "Sports give your life structure, discipline and a genuine fulfillment that few areas of endeavor provide." I couldn't agree with him more. Sports can make a lasting impact and difference on every athlete's life. It's about facing adversity, handling the challenges of competition and dealing with the pressures of the game. Those combined through athletics forges our character and reveals our class.

 

What is class? I believe it's an easily recognizable quality that is hard to define. Class is demonstrated by athletes and coaches through their actions under pressure, in both victory and defeat.