In the Bible, the apostle Paul also modeled a serious commitment to mentoring. He was continually investing himself in young servants of Christ who he wanted to prepare and equip for life, and for spiritual service, that would be effective long after he had left this life. But, it was not just a matter of teaching and instruction (coaching), it was also a matter of how he chose to live. To that end, he wrote to a young trainee in ministry named Timothy, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2). Not only did he want Timothy to embrace that example, he wanted him to then train and mentor others as well.

In a sense, this adds a new dimension to the biblical picture of the Christian life. Several times in his writings, Paul uses the metaphor of running a race to picture the Christian life—but now he tells us more. He tells us it isn’t a sprint or a distance run—it is a relay race. As he had made the hand-off to Timothy, he wanted Timothy to pass the baton of faithful living to those who would follow him. And so on. And so on.

So, who can you pass the baton of serving Christ to? You can start the process of mentoring today just by caring enough to take an interest and get involved in someone else’s life.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

Surprisingly, the Bible has a few things to say about masks—though the word itself doesn’t really appear. In the New Testament, we read regularly about those described as hypocrites, for instance:

“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” (Luke 6:42)

What does that have to do with masks? The Greek word for “hypocrite” actually referred to actors who, in ancient Greece, changed their display of emotion by changing masks designed to designate anger, joy, fear, despair, or whatever the moment called for. An actor was someone who lived behind a mask.

The scriptures, however, call us to be men and women of integrity—people who do not hide behind a mask. Our great challenge is to live lives of open devotion to Christ so that all may see what His grace has accomplished in our hearts. As our Lord said:

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:14-16)  

Again, we do not hide His presence or His work in us—we take off the mask and let Him shine through us. A life of open response to Him and His love could be the instrument He uses to turn others’ hearts to Him.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

In the Bible there is an even more important sure thing to deal with. The writer to the Hebrews said:

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment… (Hebrews 9:27)

Death is the one appointment that none of us can ever avoid—meaning that death is one of life’s absolutely sure things. But something else is certain as well. Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

The sure thing of death is overwhelmed by an even more sure thing—the promise of Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered death on our behalf and released us from its inevitable grasp. By trusting in Him and His victory on our behalf, we receive the surest of all things—new life here and eternal life with Him forever.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

It has long been said that there is no “I” in team, because every part of the team contributes. In a big game, someone might hit the winning shot or drive in the winning run, but without the rest of the team, they couldn’t have been in the position to do that. In a team sport, you can’t say that it was all because of one player.

In life, however, we know that there are things that are utterly and completely all because of Christ—and here are several (though you may think of others):

Fulfilling the law on our behalf: We could never reach the standards or expectations of God’s laws, so Jesus did. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18).

Provide us salvation: We could never earn favor with God or deserve His grace, but Jesus “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Equipping us for living: This is seen both in the positive and the negative-

• Positive: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)
• Negative: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Left to ourselves, we would be lost, alone, and without hope—but we have not been left to ourselves! Christ has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly, and it is all because of Him and what He has done. Relationship with God has been made available to us through His cross and His love… the most important things in life both now and forever are all because of Jesus.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

That’s what good news does. It lifts our spirits and changes our outlook. It encourages our living and strengthens our resolve. Good news allows us to look ahead with anticipation rather than simply being locked into the problems of the present.

For all of those reasons, it is good to be reminded of much, much better news. Jesus said to his followers the night before the cross:

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Notice how Jesus contexts His words. He called us to look beyond the troubling realities of life in a broken world and to keep our hearts focused on Him and the Father. He then delivered good news—He is coming. He is coming to receive His own so that we can be with Him forever. That isn’t just good news—that is great news!

As we battle our way through life, sometimes the burdens of our brokenness can feel suffocating. But here is the hope that can lift us and strengthen us for the days ahead. He is coming, and He is coming for us. This is not all there is—for He Himself is preparing something infinitely better as our eternal home. So, we don’t need to let our hearts be troubled.

Great news gives us great reason for great hope in our great Christ—for He is coming!

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

After the first day of sliding, Meyers was in first place and, coming into the final run USA-1 still topped the chart. The gold medal almost seemed to be in their grasp—but a rough final run dropped them to silver, behind Canada’s #1 team.

As if to affirm my desire to support her, Meyers showed me as much in losing the gold as she ever could have in winning it. Undoubtedly disappointed, she said that she probably should be more disappointed, but she was thrilled with the silver—and the ear-to-ear grin on her face substantiated that claim. Why do we sometimes think that someone should have to apologize for a silver medal? Her great spirit displayed both her competitive spirit and her overall healthy perspective on the sports-element of her life.

This made me think of how perspective is connected to life. Having the right perspective can certainly impact our attitude in both victory and defeat, in times of plenty or times of loss. If our perspective is grounded in confidence in the God who both knows us and loves us, every event in life takes on a very different significance.

That was certainly how the apostle Paul felt. Though imprisoned and taken out of his active ministry, Paul’s perspective of trust in God enabled him to write to the church at Philippi:

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14) 

Instead of seeing his circumstances as reason for mourning or despair, Paul refused to view this as a time of defeat. Far from it, in fact, for he saw in it the “the greater progress” of the message of Christ, an inroad into Caesar’s household,  and a means for the body of Christ to be emboldened in the proclamation of the cross.

What a great spirit! Apparent defeat is seen as certain victory because Paul’s perspective was driven by trust in the Father and His purposes—and that same God is at work in our lives as well. May our perspectives likewise find a solid foundation in the certainty of His love and His wisdom.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

The danger comes in a variety of ways on the track, but one of the most fearsome is when something mechanical breaks down and the driver is no longer in control of the car. It may be something in the steering or a blown tire that launches the car up the track and into the wall. No matter what causes it, however, an almost endless number of bad things become possible when the driver is no longer in control.

This idea, of course, forms a useful metaphor for the life of faith. As followers of Christ, we have been given the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and He has taken up residence in our lives for a reason. Among other things, He is there to bring control to our lives that seem always on the edge of crashing.  This control was in view when Paul wrote:

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18).

The word filled here is a nautical term that was used to describe the wind filling a sail in order to propel a ship forward. The parallel Paul is driving for is that, instead of the destructive control of alcohol (or anything else, including self-will) that can drive us in harmful directions, we are to yield control to the Spirit. He alone has the unique wisdom and ability to move us in directions both pleasing to the Father and helpful for us.

What is critically important here is the fact that the Sprit does all of this with our absolute best interests at heart. When He’s allowed control (i.e., to take the wheel of) our lives, He will steer us into the best and most worthwhile direction that is in perfect harmony with the Father’s plan.

But like a blown tire or broken linkage, only disaster awaits when we wrench control out of His capable hands. Far from a simple mechanical issue, our walk with Christ can go utterly sideways when we, for whatever reason, take the wheel from the Spirit and demand the prerogative to call our own shots.

If we pause a moment and reflect on Genesis 3, we can see the devastating results of demanding our own way. Let’s leave the direction and destination in His care knowing we can trust the plans of the God who loved us and gave His Son on our behalf.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

Saturday night, however, Hamlin announced that he was ready to re-establish himself as one of NASCAR’s top drivers. In the Sprint Unlimited race at Daytona, Hamlin took the checkered flag first— not only winning the race, but winning all three segments of the shoot-out style exhibition event. It was as dominant as you could ask for, and Hamlin claimed the prize of a significant purse. More than that, Hamlin’s victory was a statement that he’s back—and is a force to be reckoned with.

In a far more serious situation through having faced a devastating moral failure, King David also sought to come back from his episode of sexual sin with Bathsheba. In his great psalm of repentance, David pleaded:

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. (Psalm 51:12-13)

Notice that, having already asked for forgiveness for his wrongdoing, David goes further. He not only asks to have his joy restored, he asks for the opportunity to serve once more. He desires to help others avoid the heartache and loss that he has experienced through his own failings. Part of the evidence that his repentance was genuine is seen in his concern for others.

Thankfully, we serve a God of mercy and grace—and He is a God who forgives and restores if we will but go to Him with our failures. As John wrote:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Spiritually, repentance and confession form the first step on the road back from our failings. And He stands ready to forgive, if we will ask—just as He said.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

Now, flash-forward to last Saturday morning, when a new US team, now just as professional in make-up and expectations, defeated Russia in a shoot-out in the Sochi Olympic Games—in Russia. For most who remember 1980, Saturday did not carry the same weight as the Lake Placid victory, but it was nevertheless a great win for the Americans and a terrific springboard to the elimination rounds. It was also cause for remembering 1980′s victory.

Remembering is one of the great gifts that we have been given. Throughout their history, the people of Israel have remembered a past victory as well—and celebrate it every year at Passover. That of course, was the entire purpose for the Passover meal. God wanted the people, every year, to remember His rescue of them from Egypt, as Moses said:

“Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten.” (Exodus 13:3)  

But remembering that great victory also points followers of Christ to celebrate the victory of rescue given to us through the cross and resurrection of Jesus. We also remember with a celebration meal, as Paul reminded us:

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Cor. 11:23-24)

For those who know Christ, there is no greater victory than this—and it is worthy of remembrance. Not only when we celebrate the Lord’s supper, but every time we think of Christ and His sacrifice for us.

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain

For veteran baseball players, however, spring training is not all that romantic or poetic. It’s work. It’s more than a game—and in the spring that takes the form of endless drills and practice sessions. What I find so interesting is that, although most of these athletes have been playing baseball since Little League, much of the time in spring training is spent on rehearsing the fundamentals. Whether it is bunting technique, hitting the cut-off man, running the bases, or staying down on a grounder, it is the fundamentals that matter. They are drilled over and over for the simple reason that they are critical to success in the dog days of August and beyond. They are the fundamentals that future success must be built upon.

For the follower of Christ, there is a basic fundamental to the life of faith that we also need to rehearse and reflect on regularly, for it too is foundational to everything else. This fundamental reality is the fact that God loves us. Don’t move past those words too quickly. Don’t allow them to become average or ordinary. Hear them and rehearse them: God loves us.

This extraordinary idea is accented by the fact that He loves us because He loves us—not because we deserve it. Paul wrote:

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

In all of our failing, in all of our brokenness, in all of our weakness, God loves us. For the person who hears that and says, “How do you know?” Paul has the answer. God has proven His love for us by sending His Son to die for us while we were at our worst; and He did not first demand that we become our best.

There is no greater fundamental than this, for it impacts everything about us. It impacts our hearts and lives. It touches our relationship with God and relationships with one another. It affects our now and transforms our eternity. All of that and so much more because of those simple, wonderful words, “God loves us.” What great words to consider this Valentine’s Day!

Bill Crowder, Sports Spectrum Chaplain