We signed our kids up to play soccer. Now I have never been one to be big into sports, but there is something about watching your own children play. You become the ever hated and totally unappreciated “Sports Parent”. You scream, you yell, and you literally are telling your kids to mow down other kids to get the point. It’s sad really, but yet so true. I saw myself doing these exact things at my son’s game last week and I had to wonder if new Christians look this exact way when they first realize that Christ is our savior. I mean you have seen some of us scream, yell and mow down others at times in our walk with Jesus. We easily lose sight of others around us struggling because we are so filled with winning on the Christian side. Have you ever been that person?
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
How many of you have had to try out for anything? Whether it was for a sport, musical program, theatrical event, or just to get into an organization; we all have had to be competitive in something. In Christianity we are continuously trying out to be one with our Lord and Savior. He set the standard on living sacrificially and holy. We are running a race daily to win the prize..Him. But in our everyday race we easily fall into selfish patterns. We easily overlook the homeless and less fortunate. We easily mow down the ones living in sin even though we are a snap away from being back there too. We easily forget how the trials of life can be so overwhelming that our lives seem worthless. It’s easy to look down when we become so high in the win, but winning can become losing too.
We all have been or seen those “Sports Parents” who are wonderful any other day except Game Day. It is in us to want to be the best. We also want our children to be the best. We want to always put our best foot forward, but we cannot allow that same foot to trip another who is trying to be their best too. We must know that even when we become enlightened by God, He needs us to help others to be enlightened too. He enjoys watching us in healthy competition with one another, but He wants our love for one another to still be the #1 goal.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
As I watch my son’s play different sports I am fully obligated as a parent to show them good sportsmanship even though I am on the sidelines. How I cheer them on will set them up on how to treat themselves and others when there is an opposing side. I want a healthy competition between the kids just like most of the other parents do. I know that even in my Christian walk I can only bring others closer to God by showing them a better way to deal with adversity despite the tough competition.
Lastly, I want to tell you that we are all winners when we choose Christ. We no longer need to compete for the prize because we already own it. Sports and life do go hand and hand because we all strive for the best. But unlike sports, in Christ we are all the same. We all are bonded under one umbrella of love, joy, peace, and strength. We can win and not lose anyone or anything in the process. So stop being that dreaded “Sports Parent” aka and let us all just enjoy the game of life together. I know you got this!
Sincerely,
Terryn
MODERN FAITHERELLA 