I’ve read a couple things lately that, as they often do, have got me thinking. The first comes from a book I’m reading called
Sticky Faith by Dr. Kara Powell, Brad Griffin and Dr. Cheryl Crawford. It’s a book about helping young people develop a faith that will last into adulthood. Smart people who have done a bunch of research asked 168 youth group graduates what it means to be a Christian. To their surprise, many of the replies said nothing about Jesus. According to the book, a large number of students wrote about the need to “love others” as a defining idea of what it means to be a Christian. The authors make the point that while loving others is certainly a core component of following Jesus, it is hardly unique to the Christian faith.
The second, and more brief tidbit was a line I stumbled across as someone’s stance on religion. He wrote, that people ought to “believe in God, and right and wrong, but don’t tell me how to live.” I found that particularly interesting. In many ways I probably agree with him. In other ways, I think his statement is fairly ridiculous, particularly if one considers the implications of what it would actually mean if no one was ever allowed to tell anyone else how they ought to live. For example, what then becomes the standard of right/wrong that this guy claims to value? But that’s another discussion for another day. Wait, I’ve got another one. Isn’t telling people that they ought to believe in right/wrong in fact telling them how to live? I could do this all day. But I won’t.
Here’s what I am going to do. I’m making a non-comprehensive list of things I believe. I believe all these things passionately, although some less passionately than others. They come in no particular order. Here goes.
I believe that life has meaning and that every moment of every day is a gift from God, 100% regardless of my circumstances at any given moment.
I believe that hitting a golf ball far and straight is really hard to do. The best in the world don’t do it every time, and yet, sometimes I can do it and it feels great.
I believe that God created me to enjoy His creation, and to live in intimate relationship with Him.
I believe that as a result of the fall of man, sin entered the world, resulting in man’s eternal separation from a holy, perfect God.
I believe that my children bring out the best and the worst in me.
I believe that since before the beginning of time God planned a rescue mission for His people, and accomplished that rescue by sending His Son to pay the penalty we deserve for our rebellion against Him.
I believe that men, women and children can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, by believing that He died for our sins and was raised from the dead, conquering death forever.
I believe that fear is one of our greatest enemies.
I believe that in Christ we have absolutely nothing to fear.
I believe that nothing I have ever or will ever do causes me to deserve the rescue that God provided by His grace.
But I also believe that as a result of faith in Christ, the Spirit of God comes to dwell in people, and begins a work in them that results in real, actual life change.
I believe that the world is not as it should be, due to the presence of sin and evil in the world.
Strange as it may sound, I believe there is a battle being waged for the souls of every person on the planet.
I believe that I’ve never met a mere mortal. That everyone I’ve ever encountered in my life will live forever.
I believe that sports are a gift from God, and that they have the power to enhance people’s lives, while making communities and the whole world a better place.
I believe that it’s a close call between the Jerome Simpson flip into the endzone, Usain Bolt’s 100 meters at the 2008 Olympics, and the 720 degree dunk guy doing his thing as far as the most incredible athletic feat I’ve ever seen.
I believe that sports at all levels, along with all aspects of society, have become corrupted by greed and selfishness.
I believe that there are some incredible quarterbacks in the NFL right now.
I believe that Coaches hold the power to be used by God to redeem sport. That they can be instruments of change to make significant positive, eternal impacts in their communities, worlds, and the lives of people.
I believe that God has called me to be part of a movement and to give a voice to the idea that Coaches have this type of power. That He has called me to come alongside these women and men, giving them encouragement and support as they seek to discover what it means to coach for greater purpose and to have an eternal impact.
What do you believe?
Nicely said! I really enjoyed your believe statements! I believe I was created to inspire athletes and do ministry through coaching!
…beautifully expressed, Ryan! Jesus lives in each of us and expects us to bring forth His unrelenting love, compassion, tenderness, and forgiveness to others via the way we live.(Think, Paul to the Corinthians 13) In short,we Christians are called to walk His love 24/7, indeed a daunting challenge. However, when we fail, which is more often than not, we must find solace in our faith, including our steadfast belief, that the Lord has our back and, consequently, will never reject those who love Him in spite of our warts and such. Those who choose to commit to this have no need to be crippled by anxiety.