May 2009
Playing Soccer for God's Pleasure, Feeling His Favor
Playing Soccer for God’s Pleasure, Feeling His Favor
It’s springtime and we’re in the heart of soccer season at the Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ). This is one of my favorite times of year because through coaching at CAJ, God provides me with the unique opportunity to invest heavily into the lives of 18-25 young men who are in a very strategic and formative season of growth in their lives.
As I reflect on my years growing up and competing as a young athlete, I don’t recall having many Christian teammates. Furthermore, the few Christian teammates I did have were quiet about their faith and it didn’t seem to have much impact on their lives (or their athletic abilities).
To me, this is tragic because I believe with all of my heart, I would have been more successful as an athlete and enjoyed the journey much more if I had been following Jesus rather than my own selfish desires.
One of the reasons I am so passionate about coaching young people in sports is that it provides me with the chance to share with them that the Bible is as valid and applicable to their participation in athletics as it is to participation in traditional ministry. The idea that some activities are more holy or sacred than others is a fallacy that is deeply engrained in the minds of many Christians, regardless of their theological or church background.
The Bible is very clear however, that there is no distinction between holy and secular activities. Regardless of our vocation, the Bible says we, as believers are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare His praises.” (1 Peter 2:9).
As a soccer coach, I strive to encourage these players that whatever they do, whether it’s playing soccer or singing in a church choir, or serving at a youth camp, that they should do it “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” and “work at it with all their hearts, as unto the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:17, 3:23).
Many people are familiar with the movie Chariots of Fire, a true story about a young man named Eric Liddell who won a gold medal running in the 1924 Olympics. During the time he spent training for the Olympics, his sister criticized him for training so hard and in her mind, neglecting the Lord’s work.
Liddell’s response is classic. He says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
This is one of the reasons I find such joy in coaching—helping young people realize that it brings God great pleasure when we they delight in using the gifts He’s given them for Him.
Please pray for these young men, that they would train and compete and play soccer as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Pray that God would mold their character through soccer and show them just how much He longs to use every aspect of their lives for Him.
It’s springtime and we’re in the heart of soccer season at the Christian Academy in Japan (CAJ). This is one of my favorite times of year because through coaching at CAJ, God provides me with the unique opportunity to invest heavily into the lives of 18-25 young men who are in a very strategic and formative season of growth in their lives.
As I reflect on my years growing up and competing as a young athlete, I don’t recall having many Christian teammates. Furthermore, the few Christian teammates I did have were quiet about their faith and it didn’t seem to have much impact on their lives (or their athletic abilities).
To me, this is tragic because I believe with all of my heart, I would have been more successful as an athlete and enjoyed the journey much more if I had been following Jesus rather than my own selfish desires.
One of the reasons I am so passionate about coaching young people in sports is that it provides me with the chance to share with them that the Bible is as valid and applicable to their participation in athletics as it is to participation in traditional ministry. The idea that some activities are more holy or sacred than others is a fallacy that is deeply engrained in the minds of many Christians, regardless of their theological or church background.
The Bible is very clear however, that there is no distinction between holy and secular activities. Regardless of our vocation, the Bible says we, as believers are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare His praises.” (1 Peter 2:9).
As a soccer coach, I strive to encourage these players that whatever they do, whether it’s playing soccer or singing in a church choir, or serving at a youth camp, that they should do it “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” and “work at it with all their hearts, as unto the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:17, 3:23).
Many people are familiar with the movie Chariots of Fire, a true story about a young man named Eric Liddell who won a gold medal running in the 1924 Olympics. During the time he spent training for the Olympics, his sister criticized him for training so hard and in her mind, neglecting the Lord’s work.
Liddell’s response is classic. He says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”
This is one of the reasons I find such joy in coaching—helping young people realize that it brings God great pleasure when we they delight in using the gifts He’s given them for Him.
Please pray for these young men, that they would train and compete and play soccer as unto the Lord, and not unto men. Pray that God would mold their character through soccer and show them just how much He longs to use every aspect of their lives for Him.
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