Game Changers #2 - Humility

I love the potential for growth and development that sport offers individuals. Many times, the growth and development that gets the most attention has to do with only two dimensions of the Total Athlete - the body and mind. However, I believe the third dimension (soul) is most important, but it receives the least amount of practice. The number one place sports gets it wrong is with teaching and embracing the character attribute humility.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less. The sports culture tends to encourage the exact opposite - pride. Locker rooms are littered with quotes and signs referring to pride. Coaches instruct players that pride is an essential ingredient to success. Athletes, fans and parents can be seen wearing clothing with the word pride boasted across the chest or back as if pride is expected.

Humility and meekness are the antithesis of pride. When pride is all about self, humility is about others. Pride swanks in self-reliant strength, meekness takes joy in harnessing strength under the control of a Master. Pride tells an individual that he/she is a big deal, but he/she is not.

As a result, sports has become a vehicle that has schooled young athletes out of the Kingdom of God. The only thing God says disqualifies one from his Kingdom is pride. To enter the Kingdom, one must first be humble. Teaching our athletes about humility is not optional.

I champion the virtue of humility in my athletes for many reasons. The most important one, however, is so that they can put their pride aside for the Glory of God. If they're already Christ followers, humility is essential to spiritual growth. If they're still searching for truth on their faith journey, humility is crucial in order to cross the line of faith.

I occaisionally wear an O.C. Supertones t-shirt to practice. They're one of my favorite bands from college. Quoting a popular song of theirs, the back of my shirt says, "Let my pride fall down. I'm a little man." I love that reminder.

I strive to be humble. While communicating with athletes, parents or my own family, I try to put on humility, thinking of myself less and of others more. No one is above anything and we all have the capacity to be wrong and do wrong, so it's important for me to act and respond with a humble spirit.

Next to God, I have adopted humility as the second most important priority in my life, followed closely by my family. My prayer is this: "God, please allow me to be humble so you don't have to humble me."