As I think about this idea in a biblical context, two names come to mind. Though not utterly unfamiliar to us, they are not the first people we think of when pondering the giants of the Scriptures—nevertheless, they were instrumental in the success of two of the giants of the early church. Their names? Aquila and Priscilla. Not only did they work behind the scenes in support of the world-shaking ministry of the apostle Paul (Acts 18:2-3), they were also instrumental in the training of another early church leader and spokesman, Apollos. In Acts 18:26, we read:

So he [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Aquila and Priscilla had a profound ministry of influence, but it was not by being onstage or in the spotlight. Their ministry was rooted in the challenge to influence influencers. To shape people whose platform would exceed theirs and see spiritual success measured in the changed lives of others. Obviously, this kind of ministry requires humility and self-awareness, for our natural tendency is to want to be acclaimed in our own right. But there is something very special about a highly competent person who takes the secondary role so that others can have the greatest possible impact for the kingdom. Such a heart attitude is pretty rare, but it mirrors the heart of Christ, who humbled Himself and became a servant in order to accomplish the Father’s purposes. And there is no better example than that.

Join us tomorrow on Sports Spectrum radio as we take a further look at the need for teamwork and humility in life and in sports.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

At a moment in Israel’s history when they also had known a time of sustained stability, unwelcome change suddenly came to them. Isaiah 6 begins with the words, “In the year that King Uzziah died,” marking their own changing of guard after a time of prosperity, peace, and calm unprecedented in Israel’s national history. This must have left the Israelites with a sense of unsettledness and fear, but that was the purpose for what the prophet tells us next. Isaiah wrote:

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (6:1).

King Uzziah’s throne may have become empty, but the throne that really mattered was not empty. God still ruled—and He continues to rule the universe of His creation today. When days of sudden change overtake us, shattering our comfortable lives and disturbing our hearts, it is important for us to remember that God still reigns in heaven and on earth. While we may appreciate the seasons of life that are marked by constancy and stability, sudden change need not cause us despair. The Lord is still sitting on the throne—and, because of that, we can be at peace.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

The battle between Smoke and Cousin Carl this weekend, however, is about more than just these two premier drivers. They represent teams that have worked all year for this moment. They have battled adversity, overcome mechanical breakdowns, maintained a high level of technical excellence, and stayed at the top of their game for the long, long season. Now, for one of these teams, the highest success in NASCAR is only days away—a fitting reward for the effort of a long season that has demanded their very best every step of the way.

Followers of Christ should be able to relate to this. Life is a journey in which we experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It is an ongoing battle with brokenness that takes a heavy toll and can be both discouraging and debilitating. But, we are called to endure. We are called to endure because it will be worth it someday when we receive a reward greater than any trophy or the fame and wealth it may bring. Paul wrote of this in his second letter to Timothy when he said:

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Tim.4:8)

The challenge to us, as was the challenge to Paul, is that we endure—that we finish well. And the good news is that we don’t have to do that in our own strength. Our Lord has promised to strengthen us and equip us for the long haul. As Isaiah said:

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. (Isa.40:31)

In His strength, even over the long and demanding seasons of life, we can endure. And that is the only way to finish well.

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain

This is the way it is in all of life. Every action has consequences, either good or bad, and when we act in ways that are unhealthy or destructive, the consequences can be severe indeed. This is the warning of the Scriptures as well, especially in matters that are eternal. The price required by sin is an eternal one, as Paul declared:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).

Because the price our sin demands is so severe, God sent His Son to pay that price on our behalf. He took our sin and its deserved punishment and paid the cost of it on the cross, making it possible for us to be released from the consequences of our sin. The penalty for sin may be death, but  the remedy of Christ is eternal life—all we must do is receive that remedy by faith. The question is whether or not we will receive His gift of life.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

That is what tension can do to us—and sports certainly can generate more than its fair share of it. Undoubtedly, however, there are other forces at work in our world that generate far more important sources of tension, fear, and anxiety. Sports tension can actually be fun, but there is nothing fun about the anxiety produced by the fear of a serious medical condition, or of a lost job, or of a failing marriage, or of a prodigal child. In those tension-filled life experiences there is only one source of relief from these anxieties—the living, loving heavenly Father who offers us Himself and His grace, comfort, and peace. That is why the Scriptures challenge us to be “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

But this requires something of us. It requires us to recognize the depth of our need and embrace the depth of His care. Then and only then can we know true peace of heart. Only when we respond to His call: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

But that is where the danger lies. For someone who loves what they do and wants to be the best they can at it, each race must be seen as an opportunity to improve. Each weekend provides another chance to show you belong. Each event is an opportunity to show the character of perseverance. In some ways, perseverance (or the lack of it) is what separates the champions from the also-rans. The champion refuses to let up and refuses to back down. They are in it all the way to the end, no matter how long or frustrating the campaign may have been.

As followers of Christ, we too are called to lives that model perseverance. Ours may not be exhibited in the dog days of summer or in the final races of an already-lost season. Ours may be in the dark, discouraging times of life when we want to give up. When we feel like there is no point in going on. When there is no earthly reason to continue. In those season, perseverance is a virtue we would do well to learn. As Paul told the churches of Galatia:

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Gal.6:9)

If we grow weary and give up, we can never hope to experience the joy of seeing God work through our lives. Perseverance puts us in position to finish well, and to endure the long, hard seasons of life. The challenge is that we not lose heart—and the only way to keep from losing heart is to keep our eyes on Him. The writer of Hebrews said:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

As Christ endured for us, we must look to Him—not merely for inspiration, but for the example and strength to endure all the way to the end. He did that for us. He can help us to do so as well. Join us tomorrow on Sports Spectrum radio as we discuss enduring the long seasons of life.

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain

We face seasons of life when, like those engines, we have run too long and too hard. We are wearied and worn out by life, struggle, or pressure. We need help that is more substantial than just a simple refresher or a quick pick me up. We need real, genuine help. It is to those times of serious need in our lives that our Lord spoke when He said:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Sometimes what we need most is the quiet comfort of the presence of the Savior—for in the midst of our fatigue and brokenness, only He can give us the rest of spirit that we most deeply need. It is the kind of trip behind the wall, spiritually, that can give us the strength and help we need to run this race of life for the long haul.

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain