2023-24 Game Plan 4 LIFE Theme: Love
[See previous devotionals]

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September 2023

LOVE - THE FUEL OF OUR PURSUITS
by James Kryger, Director of Athletics, Redeemer University

"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
 
We love because he first loved us. A relatively simple but profound biblical truth that should guide our athletic journeys and fuel our impact on the world around us.
 
The apostle John points out that it is the effectual love of God that first changes our hearts in order to make us capable of love, and it is His example of love that reminds us of our need to love others. God's love is not only the foundation of our faith but also the driving force behind our ability to impact others. Think about your athletic journey – the passion, dedication, and perseverance that go into every season, all of it is rooted in the love God first bestowed upon you.
 
Just like in our younger years when we would imitate our sports heroes, our lives today should reflect the love of our heavenly Father. 1 John 4:19 encourages us to mirror God's love, and in athletics, that happens in our interactions with teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, and all those we encounter along the way. The dynamics of a sport provide a tangible platform to practice love. The unity and fellowship that form the bedrock of successful teams stem from the love and respect for one another. Just as God's love unifies us with Him, our love for others unites us with our teams.
 
Through Scripture, we understand how to handle both victory and defeat with grace. No matter the outcome, our competitive motivation should result from God's love in our lives. In times of triumph, our humility should shine, acknowledging that our abilities are God-given. In times of defeat, our perseverance should stand as a testimony to the love that sustains us through challenges.
 
Beyond the Sport
The world needs the transformative power of God's love. As athletes, coaches and administrators, we have been given the opportunity to be ambassadors of that love in our communities, at the restaurants we visit, with the people we meet, at the hotels in which we stay, and especially to those closest to us. 1 John 4:19 reminds us that our ability to love others stems from God's, so let this fuel us to be a positive influence, to forge relationships built on it, and extend what has been extended to us on the cross. Just as God's love knows no bounds, let our love be a shining light that impacts the sport we are a part of and the lives of those around us.
 
Season Challenge
How many people will your team and programs, via the platform of sports not otherwise possible, love and impact this season? My prayer is that we, as members of His team, always keep the vertical ahead of the horizontal.