Tough week in coaching this week. Adversity like you do not dream about. God has a great sense of humor in allowing us to share our pain with players and parents. This week I was able to share with two athletes and parents about character weaknesses I had as a young player.
I remember throwing a flagrant elbow in a freshman basketball game. When the other player retaliated, he was called for a technical and another technical on his bench. I found myself at the free throw line shooting four.
"Great" for my team but terrible for my integrity. I never told my team the real story and never apologized to the other team. I worshiped winning and my performance. My identity was based on how many points I could score and if our team won, it was my identity.
When things did not go my way, I was angry and in the above scenario willing to throw elbows. But the reality is I did not have an elbow problem, I had an idolatry and anger problem. When athletes demonstrate anger or other inappropriate emotions we cannot dismiss or isolate as "part of athletics", we have to coach the heart of our players. Weakness in character and sinfulness is revealed in the heat of competition.
I failed to realized back then that God was desiring to use a basketball game to point out the flaws in my character. As a young player I was angry because I lost my dad at a young age. That anger would also lead to trying to find contentment in alcohol and drugs. A pursuit of "contentment" that nearly killed me as a young athlete.
Even as a young adult I was willing to trip a player trying to score from third in a softball championship game. When questioned about the play I told everyone I was just getting set early as the ball was being relayed to home. My heart was corrupt and I was willing to lie about something I intentionally did in order to worship my idol of winning. If you would have asked me then I would have told you I knew Christ.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
As adversity struck my team this week, I was thankful to the Holy Spirit for reminding me of these experiences so I could share my brokenness with my players and parents. Placing our identity in sports and our performance is a lie from hell. We did not bring sports and winning into the world and we will not take them out. Our only lasting and fulfilling contentment can be found in Jesus Christ.
Adam in the picture above competes in baseball with one leg. When I look at the picture I see attitude and effort. A kid grateful to be able to play. He probably wants to win too and its okay to desire to win as long as it is not our identity. Adversity likely has taught Adam amazing lessons. Praying the adversity of my team this week builds our character, realigns our identity and allows us to grow as men of God.
Coaches and athletes find your contentment in Godliness. Being deceitful and sinful in sport is deception and disobedience against God. Playing sports is not a permission slip to do whatever you want. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. God is not looking for "soft" athletes and Coaches. He is looking for passionate competitors that honor Him.
Make it a great night!
Coach Chambers
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