Before retiring, I spent 44 years in professional baseball as a player, coach, and scout. That means (not counting years I played at two MiLB levels) I had the opportunity to win 44 championships! I was fortunate to be a part of five titles. That means 39 times my season ended in disappointment. But realistically, winning anything is hard, and winning 11% might be considered good, right? Let’s tighten this up a little. Actually, all five Championships came while I played Minor League Baseball (5/10), and none came as a coach or scout (0/34).

Why do I bring this up? Am I boasting about my playing days? Was I just an adequate coach and scout? Actually, it is because I’ve had as much joy over the last 34 years as I did in the first ten. It turns out, yes, winning is fun, and I love to win, but it’s not all about wins and losses at the end of the day. I’ve learned that JOY can be found in all seasons, and quite frankly, championships are fleeting! In order to be 100% correct, I had to research the years of those championships to make sure I had it right!

As a competitor, I do love to win. Typically, to have a good chance at winning, it is nice to start well. Moreover, it is usually just as important to end well. However, how players and coaches react and respond during the hard times “in” season—that is what will truly determine not only the outcome of the season but what gets remembered in the long run about each season, win or lose!

As much as our athletic portion of life is tested, so will our Faith. As stated in James 1:3, WHEN (not if) your Faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. And that parallels seasons of competition. Name me a season when you were not tested! By a player, umpires, the team, injuries, weather! There are so many obstacles we face with both our human (coaching) life and our spiritual life! How we react can lay the foundation for growth and endurance with our human championship and, similarly, with our faith and an eternal championship!

Don’t let earthly things steal your JOY. You should work to find a way to spread that JOY throughout your team in times of struggle! Use the tests that present themselves and times of adversity to grow with your team on the field and off. It’s the perfect time for connection and building of what is needed physically and spiritually. Do not miss the opportunity to Be and build a disciple on the field and for Jesus.

Be a light, shine bright, don’t hide your Light for Christ under a lamp shade. (Matt. 5:14–16) Growth can happen on the field and off if you lead with the Character of Christ working through you. (Gal. 5:22–23)

Be well, Build well, Serve Well.