I have quoted a few times from the thoughts that Patrick Richie sends out weekly in his short devotions called Wisdom for the Busy Sports Leader. This last week his words were especially good. This is what he sent out.

(Tony Dungy - Coach, Indianapolis Colts - speaking to coaches) “Our young boys in this country, they need to hear from you. Our boys are getting a lot of the wrong messages about what it means to be a man in this world. About how you should act, and how you should dress, and how you should talk, and how you should treat people. They don’t always get the right message, but you guys have the right messages. You know it. You live it.”

Richie goes on to ask: “Is it proper for the Busy Sports Leader to use his position to exhort others in sport to be an influence in our world? IT IS! In this day when it seems so many people are offended so easily; and the fear of offending others has caused the good to say so little, it is time to be courageous. God puts us in positions of influence not so we can enjoy the comfort of fame, but so we can face the challenge of change.”

I know that this appears to be directed just to young men. Please realize, however, that Dungy had recently lost his teen-age son to suicide. He was calling on coaches and older athletes in the position of influence on youth to be bold and speak out. What an opportunity we have here at Valley Christian to speak out! My concern is that as coaches and teachers we may feel that we don’t need to say much - or anything - because the kids get “all this stuff” every day. Not only that, we may feel that we have just so much time to teach our subject or to prepare our team for competition that taking a lot of time on what the kids should be getting in their Bible class or Chapel is not necessary. But, it is necessary and I encourage you plan for ways to share how Jesus has made a difference in your own life - in areas like how you act in your family situation, in the way you talk to and about others or how you treat people. Of course, the assumption is that Jesus HAS made a difference in your life. If the Lord hasn’t revolutionized our lives there is nothing to share. But, if He has, then the greatest thing we have to share is that He can change their lives too, and we can share our own life-examples of how this happens.

Consider taking a minute before practice to share a story with your players or class that shows how God works in your life. Look for situations that illustrate biblical truths. Comment on the world events from your Christian perspective. As Pat Richie said, “It is time to be courageous.” In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul speaks of the “special abilities we have to do certain things best”. As Christians, we have been gifted by God to teach and coach. In Ephesians 4:12, Paul says we are equipped to “build the body of Christ to a position of strength and maturity.” It is a great responsibility - and privilege - to be involved in bringing our students and athletes to a position of strength and maturity. I pray that we will take the time and thought and preparation to use our “special abilities” to serve our Master well.

What would God say your job description is?

Coach Hitch