Have you read the sports news lately? Is it filled with news that makes sports look pretty bad. Have we taken the competition in sports too far? Teenagers are killing each other with baseball bats, parents are shooting coaches, fans are taking swings at players on the field. Have we taken competition and the pressure to win to a whole new level? Where do we turn for answers?

FCA has put out a great guide for athletes, coaches and even parents. It is called the Competitor's Creed. It's made up of six verses that represent how we should compete and play for Christ. Today's athletes and coaches are being pushed to win at all cost, but if we truly compete with Christ in mind, our desire will be to honor Him--not ourselves as athletes and coaches.

My prayer is that we have not gone too far in our desires and efforts to become successful in sports today. Athletes, compete, but compete for Christ alone. Coaches, coach as Jesus would coach, giving glory to the Father. Parents, support you children in ways that will bring God honor. In doing this, our focus will shift off of our own personal desires, and the glory will move to Christ.

Let the competition begin. Let the Glory be God's.