What many people may not know, is why I decided to do that??
I had been contemplating playing again this year, and my back (a pinched nerve, and a aggravated disc) were not going to cooperate with me to allow me to play. So I was asked if I would like to coach. I thought to myself "Coach Smith, hmmmm that sounds pretty good, and it gives me a chance to boss people around too" lol. Not to mention that I LOVE FOOTBALL!
Well after posting it on Facebook that I was considering accepting one position, I had a friend mention the opportunity for another coaching position that was, yes, closer to home. I called the Rampage the next day, met with them on that following Friday, and have been coaching for them since.
I had decided that I was going to use this coaching opportunity to be a light for Jesus, to show people that God is a God of love.
A few weeks ago, at one of our scrimmages my lovely wife had to remind me of why I was out here and what my goals were for being out there. Imagine that, she was right! She is right a lot, just not all the time, despite what she thinks.
So since she reminded me of that again, I have made more of an effort to share my faith with the players on my team. To profess it more with my mouth out on the field, in the huddles, or on the sidelines.
Last Saturday, we had a tough scrimmage. We drove all the way over to Middletown, Ohio to play in the wonderful Thunderstorms, and got poured on the entire game, only to lose 7-0. Our guys play with such heart and emotion though, it didn't seem like it was as long as it was. It was cold, windy, rainy, and to top it off it there was lightning every where but right over us! That is God protecting His children.
After that game, we endured a bit of a hardship. We had a couple of key players that were getting discouraged because of our losses and quite frankly our lack of offensive production and they had all but quit the team, and had explained that they were done and couldn't do it anymore.
That evening, Easter eve/Easter morning, I spent 2 hours on the phone with one of these guys talking to him about the team, the offense (even though I am the defensive guy), and most importantly his character, and if that was the impression he wanted to leave on 40 other guys. He certainly didn't want to let down those who had become his "family" now did he? After talking to him, and then the other coaches talking to him, they all finally came to an understanding with each other.
This Saturday, he came up to thank me for talking to him about his character and convincing him to stay with the team.
Also this Saturday, I was helping out one of the players get a bandage over his newly inked tattoo of "The Grim Reaper". While doing so, I asked him why he would want the grim reaper on his body. He simple said that is who comes to get you when die. I said "well not if you are a Christian"! To which his response was "Not to be rude, but I don't necessarily believe that", then I responded with "Man, it is ok if you don't believe right now, but someday you will." The next words out of his mouth just blew me away. He responded by thanking me for not jumping on him for not believing. It is sad when so many unsaved people see Christians as threats because they are so quick to forget the Grace that Jesus had once gave to them. This guy had obviously been pushed towards Christianity so much that he now is on the defense against any and all believers. This is so common that it makes me sick. We as Christians are called by Jesus to simply LOVE!! The greatest commandment is to LOVE God, the next is to LOVE your neighbor as YOURSELF.
Are we loving them, buy ridiculing them for not believing as we do?
Are we loving them by not showing them the EXACT same Grace that Jesus shows to us for our mistakes. No one, not one is born a believer of Jesus. Each of us has to find it in our own way, our own time, in our own love!
Everyone that is a Christian has experienced the love of Jesus or else you would not have asked Him to come into your hearts. Take time and just share that LOVE with those around you in your daily walk, because that is the truest meaning of being a witness!!
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