“On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:4

>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<

Sometimes youth identify themselves as ballplayers more than anything else, and this attitude is often encouraged when they become star athletes who excel in what they do. However, only 6% of athletes join a college team after high school graduation, and even fewer become professional athletes.

Recently, college athletes began receiving more rewards than in years past for playing the game they enjoy, but many of them still dream about the possibility of making a career in sports. We’ve seen massive disappointment when an outstanding player doesn’t get drafted as expected. A college star may suddenly be embarrassed before the world during the NFL Draft. Some players are not drafted but sign as an undrafted free agent, and other guys with high expectations aren’t picked up by a team and have to pursue a career in something else. Many don’t cope well if their identity is totally wrapped up in their success on the field.

We need to learn to be comfortable when we aren’t the center of attention, because not everyone will not like us and disappointments are part of life.

When we study the longevity of Paul in ministry, his prosperity didn’t depend upon his circumstances or how many people were cheering for him. He focused on God’s critique of his work rather than allowing poor evaluations from jealous or misguided people to discourage him (1 Thessalonians 2:4, above). Therefore, Paul told the church at Corinth that God’s description of his work was the most accurate because God knows all things.

Paul had a clear conscience, and he also knew God saw him better than he saw himself. The apostle didn’t worry about people’s criticism unless God confirmed to him that he was wrong (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). People often evaluate us before having all of the necessary information.

In some people’s minds, Paul was a jailbird because he was arrested multiple times. However, this opinion was unfounded because Paul didn’t break any laws and didn’t commit any crimes. He was locked up for preaching the Good News about Jesus coming into the world to save sinners. If anyone tried to disqualify him for getting arrested, they weren’t seeing the whole picture.

When Jesus taught His disciples about proper attitudes, He corrected them when they thought their performance on a particular day defined them (Luke 10:20). As Jesus explained, our efforts are good, but none of us is on top of our game every day. We will have bad moments and fall flat on our face, but our standing with God is secure.

Obviously, we want to try to do our best in the Lord’s work, in our family life, and in our occupations, but we need to always keep God’s thoughts of us first and foremost in our minds. Many people turn their backs on us as we go through life, and everything we cherish in this world may be ripped away from us at any time. But God’s love for us is eternal and unchanging.

— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more devotionals and stories where sports and faith connect <<

>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<

If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com