Champions In Life

Well, even though I was apparently rooting for the wrong team last night, I'm as happy as I can be to see someone like Tony Dungy and the Colts wear the title of "NFL Champions" for the next year. I told a buddy of mine this morning during lunch that if it had been any other team facing either the Bears or Colts I'd have been more passionate about rooting for them (the Bears & Colts) than I was this year. Truth be known, all though these two teams were very successful in their endeavors this past year, what endeared me more to these teams were their leaders.

Head coaches Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith. Both men are devout Christians and live the life God intended them to lead. Sure, they stumble like all men do but they have such integrity and walk in such reverance of the Lord that it causes men like me to see how two godly men can be raised up for just such a moment. Even during the midst of all the celebrations and accolades, both men continued to be living examples for the One who lives within them.

A website called beyondtheultimate.org looks at both of these men's lives and how the Power of God has transformed them into the winners they are today.

Dungy once said "I think it's great to be able to show the world not only that African-American coaches can do it, but Christian coaches can do it in a way that, you know, we can still win. I want to show people that being a Christian and being successful are not mutually exclusive.

"When people ask me, 'How do you stay so calm on the sideline?' I have to tell them it is Christian maturity and Christ working in me. It's not natural. It didn't happen overnight. It was a process. I know how powerful God's spirit is. I know He can change people. And I know that He will do that if we allow Him to."

Bears' coach Lovie Smith also realizes it's not by his own abilities that he is able to succeed but because of God's presence in his life.

"Yelling and screaming, that's one of the most overrated [coaching] ideas out there," he says. "Maybe in the old days that's what you had to do. Nowadays, what I've found is that if you tell guys what to do ... they will do it. You don't have to belittle them, threaten them. I simply tell them what I want done. If they can't do it, there are other guys waiting for the chance to do it. I'm [also] not trying to be anybody's father, but I do accept the role as a father-figure."

"Everything that I am is based on my faith. It has been a big part of me," he says. "At a young age, I called on God to help me, and He was there as a comfort for me. That is something that I have leaned on ever since."

To me, a score on the field may have determined which coach won or lost last night but in the game of life, it's apparent that as these men run the race before them, their eyes are not on any earthly prize but one that awaits them in eternity.

What a testament to God, the One they serve, who is STILL able to use anyone to reveal Himself to a lost & dying generation. Today He has found favor, raised up and used a couple of head coaches in the NFL to further His cause.

But who knows...tomorrow it could be you.

Are you ready to become a champion for the Lord?