Courageous Gamechangers
- Paul Cameron
- Aug 18, 2017
- 2 min read
For my first sports blog, I wanted to focus on a topic that seems to be a common theme for me over these past few years: COURAGE. Many of us can quote Joshua 1:9, “Haven’t I commanded you, be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” However, we would rather play it safe than take a risk. Safety, comfort, and/or convenience may be reasons for playing it safe, but when is the last time you’ve gotten uncomfortable and had to place your trust in something other than yourself. Maybe, it is as simple as praying for boldness or strength to overcome adversity.
“Haven’t I commanded you, be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Jackie Robinson is a great example of an athlete that displayed courage. As you may know, Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Being African American, Jackie was faced with awful treatment from opposing teams and fans. Imagine being called harsh names or physically abused because you were different. For Jackie, this became the norm during his first year in the league as there are numerous accounts that Jackie suffered many broken bones and stitches from getting hit with the baseball. Now, there may have been times that Jackie felt like giving up, but it was those close to him that continued to encourage him to be strong. Jackie understood that his experience would pave the way for the next generation of African American baseball players.
Through Jackie’s life, we find that settling for the “safe life” is not always in our best interest. Many times we find that by settling for comfortability, we don’t engage the enemy. In sports terms, its like playing hand-touch football while Satin is playing tackle football. He is seeking to destroy us and keep us from fulfilling our purpose in life.
Jimmy Page, a VP within FCA, states that “Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear. It means confidence in God in the face of fear.” In other words, our courage should not come from our own strength but our reliance of God’s power. Jackie may have been the one receiving the harsh treatment, but it was those around him that allowed him to be courageous. So, get off the sidelines, aka safe place, and step out in faith and courage. It is through this that you will be able to truly experience God’s glory.
Gamechangers live courageous lives!
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