Around this time of year, I always like to take a look back on what spiritual lessons I can draw from sports. What follows are some great examples.
I read a great story by Sports Illustrated for Kids, titled,”Five Great Moments of Sportsmanship in 2014.” At the end of his post, the writer states:
“As an athlete, I know it’s easy to get caught up in the competitiveness of a game or an event. But I also know that sportsmanship is just as important as winning and losing. Always remember to shake hands with your opposing team –whether you’ve won or lost and tell them it was a “good game.” And don’t forget to shake hands with the umpire or referee and thank them, too. Help someone up when they fall down, even if they aren’t hurt. Play hard, but play fair. Don’t cheat or do anything you know is against the rules. And always be nice. It’s the right thing to do and it always pays off.”
It’s always nice to have a reminder of why we play sports. It’s not for the attention, but rather for God’s glory. As 2014 comes to a close, try to think back on some of the times when YOU were playing sports and were able to use it for Gods glory. If you can’t think of any, then try to focus on making those moments happen in 2015.