SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
It has been a fast and furious start to this wonderful ‘21-‘22 school year.  You ever wondered why we run this hard and sometimes relentlessly chaotic race called athletics? I find myself along with my family at times asking that question, particularly in the midst of extreme busyness. I am reminded of the answer, through prayer and petition to the Lord. Most of us pray diligently daily for the Lord to grow us, guide us, lead us. We pray that He would mold us into the warriors that he wants us to be.  We should not be surprised that He hears us and answers our prayers, giving us opportunities to grow: “And if we know that he hears us- whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked him” (1 John 5:15).

I tend to grow more when I am climbing a mountain or going through a deep valley.  When I fight through something that is difficult, I come out on the other side stronger and more prepared for the path ahead.

In sports we often find ourselves fighting through adversity. That adversity can come in a lot of different forms.  It may be in a hard workout, a rough game, the emotional stress of being on a big stage, workouts, nagging hurts, or a weeks’ long injury, mangaing our homework and sports schedules or being a parent who is watching a child go through this adversity.  Sometimes our adversity presents itself in physical struggle, other times it is in our academics—and daily we are bombarded with the ways of the world which creates spiritual adversity.  I would assert that we must rejoice and embrace that which is difficult,  for He is growing us.  Romans 5:3-5 reminds us:  “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…”

I do not think that this journey is easy or simple.  This journey we call “athletics” within our greater journey called “life,” is a journey that no matter how tough it gets or how busy we are—we shall embrace it.  We embrace it because we know that the end objective is our prayer:  “Lord grow us, guide us, lead us.”  I say to myself (and I say to each of you), it is only by the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us that we can overcome our struggles and grow in the ways that God wants us to.  A good friend of mine shared with me the warrior’s prayer in  Psalm 91.  I would like to pass that recommended reading along to you. 
 
Building Champions for Life.
Coach Shipman