Redefining Winning

Consider how much energy, time and resources go into building a winning team. It’s a central focus from youth teams to professional sports. If a team is not winning, changes are made to position that team to be successful. Some colleges are even seen as successful or not based on their football team’s win/loss record.

Much of a team’s success is based on the effectiveness of the coaching staff. They spend hours recruiting the best players, developing a playbook, practicing, and coaching them to win. Their success is measured by the scoreboard for a single season. Worldly success is often measured by our achievements or accomplishments.

One example of someone who defined success and winning differently was the late John Wooden, the most successful coach in the history of college basketball. Here are some of his quotes that defined him as a winning coach:

·      “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”

·      “A coach’s primary function should be not to make better players, but to make better people.”

·      “A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are.”

·      “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”

John Wooden is an outstanding role model for many coaches today. An even better role model, however, is Jesus Christ, the most successful person of all time. How did Jesus define success and winning? How did He demonstrate it and how can we follow?

Jesus knew His assignment and life purpose. He knew and perfectly followed God's will, and He embraced His calling. He was laser focused on putting God the Father first.

"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me." -John 6:38

Jesus never lost sight of His mission, willing to make great sacrifices, even when scorned and criticized.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” –Hebrews 12:2

He developed and inspired His team, coaching them in life, not just in the task at hand. He accepted them just as they were but believed in what they could become.

“And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” –Matthew 4:19

He loved and served God and others. He focused His energy and attention on others, not Himself.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” –Philippians 2:5-8

He depended on God the Father, always desiring to please Him.

“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’” –John 8:28-29

Jesus was goal oriented with the end in mind, and He stayed close to His team.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19-20

Success and winning in life isn't just about how much you have or what you've achieved—it's about how you fulfill God’s purpose for your life and the impact you have on those around you for Christ. From God’s standpoint, success means walking in His way. Deuteronomy 10:12 states it this way: “What does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul?”

Winning in life is living, leading and loving like Jesus.

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” –1 Thessalonians 3:12

Question: How does looking at the life of Jesus inspire you to adjust your way of competing and living?

Challenge: List out the areas of your life where you need to depend on God, and then ask Him to come into those areas and help you in them.

CTA: We normally think of winning in terms of successful games and coming at the top of our conference. But what does winning truly look like? What does it really mean? What if we shift the definition to include another way of performing or coaching? Get Involved with FCA

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.