A Good Sport
I’ve read a few articles about Peyton Manning storming off the field after the Super Bowl, leaving the Saints to enjoy their victory. Some call him a poor sport, while others claim he wanted to win so bad, he wasn’t going to pretend to be something he wasn’t (aka. A good sport?).
I compare his actions to what I witness when watching the winter Olympics in Vancouver. When we see competitors congratulating one another and shaking hands after winning or losing, here we see the real athlete – the one doing what is difficult, whether it is physical or emotional. Shaking an opponent’s hand after losing may be far more difficult than the actual win, but it proves the character of the player and may be the one difference between an excellent athlete and a so-so athlete with a winning record. I know there are some exceptions in the Olympics, but I am focusing now on the real leaders.
Peyton’s supporters and diehard fans are defending his disappointment after working toward the goal of winning the Super Bowl for a full year. Sorry folks, in comparison, an Olympic athlete works four years (and in some cases, longer) for a very similar goal. You either have good sportsmanship or you do not.
Disappointment can be a huge obstacle in an athlete’s life or it can be motivation for the next win. The way we deal with disappointment in any aspect of life determines whether we will allow the outcome to defeat us or overcome the outcome. This applies to sports, work, relationships, finances, and our health, yet most sincerely it applies to our faith as the overriding factor in all these areas.
I cannot claim to have always had good sportsmanship in playing sports or a good attitude in everything I have done. I know I have failed miserably; I have walked the hall of shame a few times. Here is where I am reminded of what Paul tells the Philippians regarding his understanding and application of the power of the resurrection in Philippians 3:12-16:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
I think Paul is opening our eyes here and giving us a goal or a focus point. Let’s forget about the disappointment, whether it was two minutes ago, two hours ago, or two years ago, and strive for what is ahead, which for those of faith, is our Kingdom promise in Jesus Christ.
Am I to live without hope? I have both the love and reverent fear of God giving me hope in the darkest, most terrible times, yet I find myself complaining about minor inconveniences in life. His will for me, and for each of us seeking Him out, is that in the most devastating of all circumstances, we will obtain his joy and gladness, His peace and favor, and know His presence in the midst of the turmoil. Who else can hold us up in such times? Who else can give us hope?
Let’s look at the Old Testament and see what Isaiah wrote beginning in 51:11:
The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter [heaven] with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. ”I, even I, am he who comforts you… For I am the LORD your God…”
What is our hope found here, hidden away in the Old Testament? God’s promise to His children:
- The ransomed of the Lord will return. We can also see this as the redeemed of the Lord, those who believe…
- We will return and enter God’s Kingdom singing! Forget the iPods or MP3 players, let’s belt out our own song of joy!
- Everlasting joy will be with us… and this isn’t just a fleeting moment, a passing emotion, but joy that can never be used up!
- Gladness and joy will overtake us… as if we would run from it? No way, I’m just going to stand there and let it overwhelm me!
- Sorrow and sighing will flee away… good, I really was getting tired of all that sighing.
Jesus Christ paid a ransom on the Cross – He died in our place so that we will never have to experience death. Our mortal bodies will pass away, yet our spirit, the core of our being, the true essence of who we are will live and return to Him. His promise to us upon our return is given in the above verse… a victory beyond any sporting event.
Good sportsmanship is not being happy you lost the game or the match, but being happy in spite of the loss – because you have hope of victory in another game. Good faith is not being happy because of judgment or hardship, but being happy in spite of it – because you have hope of victory in Jesus Christ.
Are you tough enough to claim the ultimate victory?
Glenn Sasscer
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