Be All You Can Be

Rafer Johnson’s dream of a good life hinged on his athletic ability, even though he’d been told that a birth defect would prevent him from participating in athletics. He chose to deal with the defect as a simple setback rather than as a deal breaker. With the help of coaches and family, he not only won his battle but was declared the world’s greatest athlete when he won the 1960 Olympic decathlon.

Everyone faces obstacles, but the difference is in how we deal with them—the coping skills we choose to use. This applies not only in sports, but in living the Christian life as well. Like the servant in the parable above, many people cop out rather than press ahead. God gave us life to be lived in its entirety, for Him. We are called to invest all the skills and talents He has given us for His glory and honor. Anyone can find worldly escapes to the obstacles we encounter, but if we rely on the strength of the Lord, we will surely bring glory to Him in our coaching and in every area of life.