The Christian Definition of Winning
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Well, we’re almost half-way through the season. While, for some, it’s going like they had hoped, for others, not so much. I felt the need to offer a word or two of encouragement to those teams who may not be achieving the desired results on the scoreboard each week. As some of you know, I had what was not only a really enjoyable experience but a privilege a few weeks ago, before the season started. As chaplain of Catholic High School, I was invited by their head football coach, Mr. Hudson Fuller, to be part of their annual Blessing of Helmets and Players. He also asked me to offer a short reflection. At first, I had no idea where to begin. Then I had the idea of bringing a little prop with me to help set the tone. Believe it or not, I still have my helmet from my ninth and tenth grade years. I had brought it with me, hidden in a backpack. When I told the guys and their parents this, you could immediately hear signs of excitement and anticipation. I’m guessing they were surprised that I still had it to begin with. Anyway, I wanted to make the point that, while many things in the game (and in life itself) have changed since then, some things have remained the same; namely, God’s unconditional love for us and His constant protection over us (symbolized in that moment by the helmet), and the reality that there are 2 types of winning: worldly winning and biblical or God-like winning. When the evening was over, a lot of the guys wanted to take a picture of us together, with each of them holding their helmet and me holding mine. I stood for one of the photos with a young man by the name of Daniel Beale, the team’s quarterback. I’ve known him and his family since he was about 3 years old, as they lived right across the street from my sister, where I often spent my day-off.
That day, I shared with the guys and their parents that, looking back on my high school years and all the teams and organizations of which I was a part, here’s what I learned: “Football is like prayer is like life, in that, it’s rarely about whether you get what you want or not—but what you become in the process.” If some situations don’t turn out like we wanted, hoped, or expected, we sometimes view that as a loss. If we view the experience through the eyes of the world, then we may very well label it a loss or ourselves as less-than. If, however, we view it through the eyes of faith and the message of Jesus Christ, then we will see that, in all things, we are victorious. Survival after an illness or not, the healing of a relationship or not, winning on the field or not, winning a certain award or being selected for a job or position or not—in all these moments, whether we “win” or not, Christ has won for us, gained for us all that we need to endure and rise again.
I realize this does not take away the disappointment that one may or may not feel during a season. It’s not supposed to. I just wanted to say again that we are all so very proud of you. Hang in there. Continue to do your absolute best. Most important of all, try to envision what you will become, either way, between now and the end of the season. No scoreboard is ever, I mean ever, a reflection of the character of who you are. That is defined solely in the belief that you are made in God’s image and likeness. Nothing can take that away. We may at times meet disappointment when looking at the numbers on the board, but none of you are a disappointment to us. Remember to look to the Cross, the ultimate sign of victory, and remember that, “with Christ, you can do all things.” (Philippians 4:13).
That, my friends, is real winning. And you are all winners.