"Walk in Wisdom"

The numbers are staggering! 47.3 million kids are playing sports in America today and only 7 million are playing high school sports.  Now, there are a lot of reasons as to why this is how it is including cuts and less roster spots.  But, the amount of kids that are playing sports today is incredible.  When I step back and look at these numbers I think of the amount of children that are playing and coaches that are coaching sports without the hope and unconditional love of Jesus Christ.  Those are the coaches and athletes that we at Fellowship of Christian Athletes are called to go to.  To love them, to serve them to support them and after developing a relationship with them to present them with the hope and good news of Jesus Christ!

For the past few months I have been thinking about this calling that God has placed on my life and has put in front of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  How do we minister to coaches and athletes?  What is the best way to go about this?  In reading a few books recently God has led me to a verse that I believe shows us how we are to go about this ministry.  Colossians 4:5 tells us, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."  Wouldn't it be a lot easier if God would just tell us how, when, and where we are to do ministry and witnessing?  Here is your answer.  We are to walk in wisdom!  These people that are without Jesus Christ are without everything that matters.  They are without hope, peace, forgiveness, direction, identity, purpose, understanding as to who they are, where they come from, or most of all where they are going.

How do we walk in wisdom though?  I truly believe that this all starts in prayer, in your closet and then moves at the movement of the Lord.  It starts with a relationship, showing the individual that you care about them, about their athletic endeavors or the team they coach, and most importantly you care about them as a person.  Whether they want to hear about "religion" or "Christianity" or not, they will recognize that something is different about you.  Our conduct and words can and do penetrate all prejudices and preconceived ideas about Jesus, Christians or religious people.  Are you walking in wisdom to those who you are called to minister to?  I pray that everyday I would, in my time spent with my Lord and Savior, gain wisdom from Him and walk in that wisdom to each and every athlete and coach I come in contact with.