Don't Quit!!

Romans 5:3-4 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

I often have athletes come to me who are having a tough time adjusting to collegiate athletics and are thinking about quitting. They tell me that they aren't having fun anymore because of the level of competition, the lack of playing time, the difficulty of training and so on.

Now there are times when the Lord is moving us to another place in life and it makes sense to turn the page and leave the game behind. But I usually tell athletes that quitting because it's not fun anymore and the level of adversity has increased lacks wisdom. According to Romans 5:3-4, there are valuable lessons to be learned in the midst of adversity.

God's plan is good even if the road is tough. Quitting in the midst of adversity means that you miss out on the life-lessons that can only be found by persevering through that adversity. Sports, like life, is not always fun. It's about growing in likeness to Jesus Christ, and that often comes most powerfully and clearly through adversity.

In fact, Philippians 3:10 tells us that there is a special fellowship with Christ that is found in suffering. So don't quit in the midst of adversity (like a losing season, a difficult conditioning drill, injury or lost playing time). You may be missing out on intimacy with Christ and a valuable life-lesson if you do.

Chris Bubak FCA-Nebraska State Director