We have tendencies, as men, to define ourselves by what we do. How many times have you started a conversation with, “what kind of work do you do?” or “what do you do for a living?” Society tells us to see each other…judge each other…value each other for what we do.
For example:In 1993, after Florida State had just won the national championship, Coach Bobby Bowden asked his coaching staff if they felt any different now that they won “the big one.” To a man, they said they that they felt the same. Coach Bowden told them “winning the big one is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.” He did not want his staff to only be known for winning the national championship, but for who they could become: disciples for Christ.
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4
So, how do you want people to know you? Do you want to be known as the head coach of a national championship team? How about being known as a Super Bowl champion? Do you want to be known as the top sales rep in your company? If you said yes, then you want to be known for what you do. I challenge you to change your thinking to be known for who you ARE. YOU ARE ONE OF GOD’S MESSENGERS!
“Our purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. Proverbs 1:3
Mark Richt was a part of that 1993 championship staff. Now, being coach of the Bulldogs for the past 11 years, he was asked about his desires for a national championship. Here is his response:
“My identity is in Christ. I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. I know that he died for my sin and I am going to heaven when this is all said and done, forever. That gives me peace, no matter what happens here.
“So what am I willing to do? Do my work heartily, unto the Lord. There is no higher accountability in life than to do something for God. So that’s kind of how I operate.”
Even here, potentially chasing down a title, nothing has changed.
“Maybe that’s the peace of God,” he smiled.
Sure, Mark Richt wants to win football games. But, more importantly Richt wants to be known as a Messenger for God! He wants to be known for WHO he is, not WHAT he does. And he is at peace with that.
What do you want to be your identity?
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10
Jimmy Scyoc