“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” – Philippians 3:13 As a recreational runner for over forty years, I have learned a great deal about myself. My early motivation for running was weight control. I had lost twenty-five pounds during Army Basic Training and liked the way I felt and looked.
“I will praise God’s name with song and exalt Him with thanksgiving.” – Psalm 69:30 We see it so often now that we don’t even give it a second thought. Following a touchdown, the jubilant football player goes into his own private victory celebration. Just when we think we have seen all the dances and stunts that could possibly be performed, someone takes it to a new level.
“My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” – Philippians 3:10 To compete in the world of athletics takes motivation and drive. As coaches, we invest countless hours training our athletes to perform at the highest level possible. What is our payoff?
“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained….” – Proverbs 29:18 Longtime Alabama head football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant knew what vision was all about. In his book, Bear Bryant on Leadership, Pat Williams says, “Bryant saw the future before it arrived. He saw over the horizon before others even opened their eyes.
“Take on an entirely new way of life—a God fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” – Ephesians 4:23-24 (The Message) There is an ongoing debate in our nation today about the issue of leadership and character. In the realm of politics, it sometimes appears that if polls and the economy are good, then character doesn’t really matter. As coaches however, most of us adhere to the idea that good char…