Everything for the Glory of God?
“whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” ~ Colossians 3:17
When Trey was born, I knew that someday church and sports would collide. So, for the first 3 years of his playing sports, with the help of other parents in my church, I coached him, because I knew it was the only way that I could guarantee he wouldn’t practice or play games on “church” nights. But since moving to Arizona I have not have the luxury of coaching him, (I have coached Jude’s team, but only because I had help of a good friend). I know it isn’t’ for everyone, but since moving to Arizona, I have had to make the tough decision to pull Trey from, what ended up being, championship team because they practiced on Wednesday nights, P.O.W. nights, and put him on a team that wasn’t so good, but that was a sacrifice I felt was important for our family.
When Trey was young, I read about the top high school running back in the country. The article was talking about how every college in the country was recruiting him and how hard he worked to be the best. The thing that struck me was that fact that the article pointed out how important his faith was to him. He was a deacon in his church, and would often preach on Wednesday nights. It talked about how his coach and team made an exception for him to miss Wednesday night practices became his faith was that important to him. It was so important to him that he said if made to choose, he would have not played football. Because he didn’t practice on Wednesday nights he would get to school at 4:00 am, with one of his coaches and work out and do drills, and watch film so he wouldn’t miss anything. As I read this article I thought, how nice it must be to be the best and have faith, because it can be used to share the gospel. But that would never work for an average athlete who had 3-4 people behind them waiting to take your position.
So, from the time Trey was young, I have hoped that because of his size, that he would be really good at sports, so he, like this running back, might serve as a witness to how important faith is to our family. To be honest Trey has been one of the better players, but not the best. However, this year he is one of the best, if not best player on the team, and because of my baseball background and working with children and youth, I have become a vital assistant to the head coach and working with the kids.
I mention this, because this week the head coach was trying to find times that the team could practice and he asked me when “we” were available. I told him Wednesdays are out and Sunday’s, and every other Tuesday is out for me. So, the coach picked all of the days Not on those days to have practice, so “we” could be there. He said to me, “You know I should have known that, because when I used to go to church those were the important days for us to.”
Whenever I coach I intentionally wear my V.B.S. shirts, mission trip shirts, or the shirt I have that says, “Pastor” on the front and, “Because Devil Stomping Ninja is not a job title” on the back. I do it so people might see my shirt and see God at work through me. When people ask me how I have such patience for 9 and 10 year olds, I tell them I am a pastor who works with children and youth, and I love it! Which then typically gets me the response, “where?”
Colossians 3:17 is my favorite verse in the Bible and I try to live my life that way. No matter what I say or do, I do it in the name of Jesus. I have carried this verse with me, when I worked in a factory in high school to help pay for college, when I cleaned toilets as a job while in college, or into seminary and even now. Even, if I wasn’t a pastor, I hope that I would still live life this way. So, no matter what you “do” for a living or where you find yourself, follow Paul’s words, and whatever you do or say do it in the name of Jesus, bringing glory and honor to Him.
Will we have a winning season this year? On the diamond…who knows. In showing God’s love to others you bet!!