“And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

One of the oddest things I have ever had a coach tell me was, “As players age, they don’t improve as rapidly because they stop taking the time to train on their own as often they did as teens or in college.”

This came from Mark Steffens, the coach of the Charlotte Eagles, a professional missionary soccer team. He said this to me at a point in my career when I had become complacent with whom I was as a player, but frustrated with my role in the team.

He was simply saying that as we progress as players, we get to a point where we spend less time getting training and more time focusing on rapid development.

Essentially, we need a childlike enthusiasm. Think about when you started playing soccer, football or other sport. Think about the enthusiasm you had to get better. Did it fade as you got better or older?

Think now about when you were a young believer, when you had that hunger and desire to grow in your faith. Is your hunger and enthusiasm where it was then? If it’s not, shouldn’t we revert to that childlike enthusiasm and hunger to know Christ? Spend that time enthusiastically training today in the way of the Lord.

— Ryan DiNunzio

OneCoach, part of the Sports Spectrum Network, is an international community of coaches and spouses who have been uniquely gifted and called by God. Visit OneCoach.org for more stories and videos.

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