I like to use an analogy with my parents during meetings that starts with asking them what character traits they desire to see their children learn while being involved in youth sports. The lists are always very predictable and extremely similar, even cliche. They include the words mentioned above plus a few more. Then, I throw a twist into the conversation by asking what makes these traits exceptional. They're desirable while most "bad" people in our society act inapporpriately by using these same traits. For example, people in prison (and/or terrorists) are very committed, dedicated, disciplined, persevering team players. They may very well posses all the traits you'd like to see your son/daughter have. If those traits are not fostered in a healthy way by promoting an individual to do the most good with what they have, they could have adverse affects.
The most desirable character traits are found in the nature of Christ. Paul described these key traits as fruit of the Spirit. As a coach, my mission is to incorporate these traits into our program and instill them in our athletes. These nine traits are the core of the character at Victory. When these are cultivated properly, the secondary character traits can be very positive additions to our overall character. However, if we miss the fruit of the Spirit, we miss everything and those same secondary character traits can become destructive.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." - Galatians 5:22. Imagine if our athletes sought these traits before all others. How different would the culture of youth sports be if these were demonstrated on a regular basis? Take the first two (love and joy), for example:
LOVE
The definition of love is God (1 John 4:8). Now, that's a standard unattainable by human beings, but consider 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. It's the famous scripture read at so many weddings:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Read that passage of scripture again. Seriously, read it again.
Now, be still for a moment. Can you imagine how different our sports culture would be if we acted in love? It would be astonishing and remarkable. What's more is that we have the individual freedom to choose how to respond in all situations. How about we choose love.
JOY
Our status doesn't determine our joy. Joy comes from deep down inside. Remember the Sunday school song, "I've got joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart." Joy is in our hearts. It's not out there somewhere, it's inside our hearts. It doesn't come from winning championships or stacking up credentials. You won't find joy by being accepted by others or earning favor somewhere. Outside circumstances cannot determine our joy; joy always satisfies.
Colossians 1:27 says that Christ in you is the hope of glory. Philippians 1 says that Jesus is joy. Using simple math, that means that my joy is Jesus and Jesus is in me! My joy is not determined by my status, but what Christ is doing in me and through me.
Break down the rest on your own and imagine how different our culture would be if we coached value and purpose by seeking to add the fruit of the Spirit. It would be truly exemplrary to attend a youth sporting event (like a wrestling tournament) and see the fruit of the Spirit dripping out of every athlete, coach and spectator.
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Take a peek at Matthew 5:3-10 (beattitudes) if you'd like to see more desirable character traits. Don't be afraid to think outside the box in order to see your athletes grow into the men and women they were created to be. For example, we should champion meekness over team work. If we're sincerely meek, we'll be great team players.
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