And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2
Being on a team is one of the most impactful experiences you can have, as you work with your teammates towards a common goal. It can also be a place where you experience some of the hardest challenges as well. Can I take a moment to be honest with you? When I was playing soccer, more often than I would care to admit, I would find myself feeling threatened by my teammates’ success. It was hard not to look outward and long for recognition.
Being on a team is tricky because you are supposed to support one another. Your teammate’s success is the team’s success. But man, it does not always feel that way. From high school all the way through college, the accomplishments other people experienced felt like one less opportunity for myself.
I know this is a very selfish way of thinking, but when you work so hard for something your entire life, it is hard not to have this mindset. I hope there are some of you that can relate to me in this way.
After reading a devotional by Lysa TerKeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries called “
Her Success Doesn’t Threaten Mine” (seriously go and read this—if you’re a boy, you can still get a lot out of this!), the truth spoken in Luke 10:2 finally clicked in my heart.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Right here, Jesus reminds us of all the work that is out there. With my limited vision, I can sometimes forget about all of the wonderful opportunities God has given to me. However, Jesus also reminds us that the “laborers are few”, meaning there are not enough Christians out there using their platform to build God’s kingdom. Let me just clarify one thing. There are many amazing Christians out there boldly using their platforms to spread the Gospel and they have inspired me to do the same. However, I believe there is potential and a lot of room for more Christians to rise up wherever God has placed them. Just imagine what the world would be like if every platform had Christians leading the way!
Because we are in great need for more people to rise up for God’s kingdom, we need to be “earnestly praying” for more workers. You may be wanting that starting position, but maybe God allowed someone else to have it instead. I know it is difficult to not get discouraged and become jealous, but invite God into that pain and ask how you can glorify Him in the role He has given you. As for the person who got that starting position, pray that they would come to know God or that they would boldly use their platform to honor Him through their actions and words. Pray that your opponents have strong Christians who will lead their team in a godly manner.
It is not bad to ask God to honor the desires of your heart in your sport. He wants to bless you! But it is also important to remember this life is not about you. Just because someone takes your starting position or your teammate gets a full ride to your top college, it does not mean there are less opportunities for you. God knows everything you need and His plans for you are good. It may not always align with your plans, but He sees the bigger picture.
Having an eternal perspective will help you to be more joyful when our brothers and sisters in Christ succeed because when they win, you win as well. Yes, you are not getting the recognition, scholarship, starting spot, or award like they are, but you are becoming more like Christ when you are able to be genuinely joyful for those around you.
My challenge to you is to be constantly praying for more Christians in your specific sport to rise up — that God would give them success so they can share about His glory. Do not see the success of someone else as one less opportunity. See it as a huge win for our Heavenly Father!
Dear Father, please forgive me for not always being genuinely happy for my teammates when they succeed. I’ll admit I want that success, but help me to remember it is not about me. Help me to always have an eternal perspective. I pray more Christians would have the courage to be bold in their faith within my sport. When they succeed, I succeed as well. Thank you for the success you will bring to those around me! In Jesus’ name, amen!
