“Don’t you realize that in a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Does this passage suggest that we are in a competition in which only one Christian can win? Are we all in a contest against one another? No, this is a metaphor used by Paul to compare the effort and dedication of an athlete with what we must do as Christians. The basic definition of a metaphor is that it describes one thing in terms of something it is not. 

As coaches, we can implement this philosophy into our daily roles by emphasizing the two things that our athletes can control: their efforts and their attitudes. All too often, they tend to focus on things beyond their control. 

A couple weeks ago, I was watching my son at soccer practice. Towards the end of the session, the athletes ran sprints for conditioning, and I noticed something about my son. Afterwards as we were in the truck heading home, I said to him, "During the sprints, as you reached the halfway point to turn back, you kept turning your head to see if you were still in the lead. As you crossed the finish line, again you turned your head to see where you finished." I told him that this action -- looking away from the goal -- slowed him down. 

I then asked him, "What two compliments did I give you?" It's easy to point out errors and mistakes, and our positive words often go unnoticed. As a coach, I try to make sure that my athletes (and in this case, my own son), know that I'm also giving positive feedback. 

He knew the answer, as we've talked about this sort of coaching feedback many times before. First, he recognized that I was complimenting his speed and effort as he looked to see if he was still in the lead. Second, he recognized that I was praising his attitude of competitiveness, an attitude that reflected the desire to win. 

Coaches, be sure to offer praise with your criticism. Make it constructive so that you are building up your athletes, and not tearing them down. Make sure they know what they are doing right, as well as where they can improve. Simply saying "good job" isn't good enough. Be specific. 

This is essential for us to continue to push our athletes toward the prize, but what is this "prize"? It's not a collection of medals, tournament brackets, or trophies. In the bigger picture, it's life and salvation. Being competitive isn't being the best in the field. It's being the best you that you can be. The best you that God designed you to be, for you have been "awesomely and wonderfully made" by Him. 

Teach your athletes that the bigger prize is something greater than the worldly accolades that will fade away. Competition isn't being the best, but being as close to God's vision of you that you can be. 

As coaches, we must also show this same discipline, focusing not on the coaching honors and awards, but on the impact that we have on our athletes in the bigger picture of life. Measure your success not on the athlete's performance, but in how they pursue their own greatness. What can we control? As with our athletes, it's our own efforts and attitudes. 

Moment of Kaizen: 

• How do you foster the idea of competitiveness in your athletes? 
• What strategies do you use to keep their focus on efforts and attitudes, rather than succumbing to worrying about things beyond their control? 

Related Passage: "I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." (Psalms 139:14).

To "win the race," we must make sure our athletes know how incredible they are as human beings. Not just the superstars, but every single one of them.

June 13, 2021

This article is a part of a series of Coaches Devotionals that I will be writing over the course of the next year. Please click here if you would like to receive email notifications when a new devotional is published.