I love sports. The competition and the beauty of it. Football for the long pass or run. Baseball for bottom of the 9th with 2 outs and bases loaded and trailing by 4 runs. Basketball for the fast pace and game winning basket. Golf for the long winning putts. I guess I just love sports.
I love sports! I love this time of year. The smell of football is here. Athletes are conditioning to prepare themselves for this upcoming season. For me, there is nothing quite like the game of football. It has been a passion of mine since I was a little boy. No matter what sport we have played or coached in the past or currently play or coach, each one of us has been given specific gifts. Whether we have competed at the middle school, high school, college or professional level, each one of us has been given gifts. When we put those gifts to use according to God’s purpose for them, great things happen.
God is the giver of every good thing. No matter where we are or have been in our athletic life, God gave us what we have used and are using. He is the reason we can run, jump and throw. He is the reason we can swing a racquet, club or bat.
No matter how we play a sport, the fact that we are able to play at all is truly a gift from God. When we realize that God created the universe, it is easier to comprehend that He gave us athletic ability. The question then comes down to whether or not we are using those gifts to bring glory to Him or to ourselves.
The world tells us that we play to win. I’ve heard (and even said myself) the statement, “If they didn’t care who wins, they wouldn’t keep score.” I don’t know a single athlete or coach who likes to lose. But, if our only goal is to win the game, we aren’t using the gifts God has given us in the way He wants us to.
Today, whether you win or lose, realize that God has blessed you with the ability to compete. Then, go out and do your best to honor Him with what you’ve been given.
God Bless and GOOOOOOO CATS!
Rev. Scott Murphy is the Pastor at the First Christian Church in Russellville.
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