“[T]hat they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” — John 17:21-23 (ESV)
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I didn’t grow up playing sports. In fact, my athletic career didn’t begin until ninth grade, when I tried out for my high school’s basketball team with no experience and very little knowledge of the rules. I came off the bench and played limited minutes for my entire high school career, and was honestly a little relieved when the final buzzer sounded to end my senior year. My team finished the season 2-21, which is not exactly the definition of excellence by the standards I learned back then.
To my understanding, excellence looked like: a starting position, All-State awards, being named captain, making the state tournament. By those standards I could never measure up.
Our theme for athletics at Emmaus Bible College (Dubuque, Iowa) this year is “One Emmaus.” One of Jesus’ prayers is recorded in John 17: “… that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me” (vv. 22-23, ESV). Our hope is that our individuals, teams and department as a whole may show excellence through the way we compete, grow, support each other and live in such a way to share the Gospel with those around us.
My playing and coaching career at Emmaus have been incredibly eye opening for an athlete who used to think the ultimate goal of sports was to succeed on the scoreboard and in the stat sheet. I have learned that sports and faith can integrate beautifully and that value and excellence are found in more than just the stats you put up every day or even your ability to play. My college coach told us frequently that “championships come and go, but what matters is you using the gifts and talents the Lord has given you to further His Kingdom.”
This season, our team went 2-22 and to say it was a tough year would be an understatement. But by the grace of God, I ended this season with a lot of joy, and a little bit of sadness that it was over. As believers, we compete for the hope of winning, but ultimately — and more importantly — we compete to honor Christ and share the Gospel in every aspect of competition. Let us strive to do that with excellence!
— Sharon Tomlinson, Emmaus Bible College women’s basketball head coach
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