Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV)
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord… [And] as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24: 14-15 (ESV)
He was pretty clear with his words. Pretty calm and matter-of-fact about it.
“I never curse at the players or coaches, or anywhere, for that matter,” he said. “I might be a bit sarcastic at times, but even then I realize I need to go back, apologize and ask forgiveness for that.”
“My job is to teach them, set the example for the behavior I want them personally to display, and be able to walk away from every situation, every day, every season and look back and see that God was glorified.”
Those were the words, in essence, which were spoken during a conversation not too long ago with a highly successful division one college football coach.
Another very successful long-term division one college baseball coach always asks me to pray that in the midst of the “battle” on the baseball diamond, that players, coaches, and people who see him from the stands and from their seats in front of their television screens, would always see God glorified by his words and actions.
And yet another former division one basketball coach asks for prayers daily that those he coaches and leads, as well as those who watch him coach, would see something different than the world comes to expect and advocate, as he walks the court during practices and games.
Something different.
Something which looks like God at work.
Very encouraging to hear and know, but unfortunately those are not the norm in the high profile world of sports. Too bad. Because there is no bigger platform—to leave a good example, for doing good, to glorify God to so many—than in the world of sports, which society holds in such high esteem, very often undeservedly. And beyond that, looking toward eternity, there is no bigger platform from which to glorify God and encourage others to follow that path.
The Apostle Paul tell us, in the passage above from his letter from Ephesians, to be imitators of Christ, to walk in love and be a fragrant offering of Christ, and a sacrifice to others. Joshua says to choose this day who you will serve—other gods, or the Lord who brought them to the Promised Land, and who sent His Son for you and me.
And not just in the high-profile world of sports where our example is magnified and followed for good or not, to not only those we mentor and lead, but by the millions who watch.
In addition to that, how about also in our numerous other platforms and roles.
For instance, how about our example as a husband? Or of a bride? How about as a dad or mom? Good example in your conversations, actions, instruction and encouragement? Or not.
How about as an employer or co-worker, a brother or sister? How about as a friend or neighbor? God glorified? Or not.
“As for me and my house,” Joshua commits, “we will serve the Lord.”
“Therefore,” the Apostle Paul says, “be imitators of God…”
How about you? And how about me?
Just some things for us all to think about every day of our lives for the rest of our lives.
In His Name—Scott
Copyright 2015. Scott L. Whitaker. All rights reserved.
