The raw emotion of sports can turn a stadium full of cheers into a motley crew ready to seek revenge on an official, player or umpire who cost their team the game. Meanwhile, at home a calm viewer can become enraged in an instant, upset at a defining moment that caused the home team to lose. F-bombs may fly, remotes soar and walls or televisions are in danger of the wrath of someone caught up in the moment.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves, Philippians 2:3.
This fall I spent my Saturdays coaching my son’s 13-15 year old baseball team. Known as Fall Ball, the purpose of this season is to help transition new or young players to a major league size field. While the focus is suppose to be instructional, sometimes coaches, parents and players forget the reason for the season. Winning tends to corrupt the controlling insecure and power hungry individuals. Thus, when I make the transition from coach to umpire, calling balls and strikes for my pitchers, even I can get caught up in the moment.
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor, Proverbs 29:23.
There is something about winning which can poison souls. The more teams taste victory, the boisterous, cockier and prideful people can become. When a losing team has its day in the sun, opposing coaches and parents have a hard time letting the unfortunate enjoy their victory. Rather, blame and guilt is assigned to justify the reason behind each loss. Perhaps, this is the logic behind C.S. Lewis’ chapter called the Great Sin. According to Mere Christianity, eliminating competition diffuses pride. Unfortunately, as soon as you try to figure out who is number one, even the godly can get caught up in the moment.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 