The late author and motivational speaker “Zig” Ziglar was known for his penchant for winning. In his many books and speeches, he famously decried, “You were born to win! But to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win.”
But logic tells us, for every winner, there is a loser. And the reality is that no one wins at everything all the time. As Christians, we have long been faced with a conundrum. How are we, as the redeemed people of God, to measure success in this life? Is it by wins and losses, or it is by something else?
The late great John Wooden, a committed Christian who became the most decorated college basketball coach in history, winning ten national championships at UCLA, was once asked how he would define “success.” He replied, “If there’s anything you could point out where I was a little different, it was the fact that I never mentioned winning. [I have always believed that] success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. You can lose when you outscore somebody in a game. And you can win when you’re outscored.”
Was Coach Wooden on to something? Does God have a different measuring stick when it comes to success?
As one of the winningest basketball players in the modern era, six-time NBA champion and former Chicago Bull Michael Jordan offered some perspective that perhaps we can all identify with. He said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
As a former athlete and coach myself, I have participated in thousands of athletic contests over the years, and I echo Jordan’s sentiments. As a competitor, I never wanted to lose a game. But I did lose. And I lost a lot. And when I lost (to my shame) my attitude and demeanor was not always what it should’ve been. But God is gracious and forgiving and for that I am grateful.
As God has done His work in rounding off many of the rough edges in my life, I’ve come to a much different perspective on what is really and truly important in this life—and it’s not winning trophies. Don’t get me wrong, I am still an admirer and fan of athletics and I think there can be much value in participating in sports. And, while the object of sports is still to win (and we should always strive to do our best), winning on the scoreboard is never to be the ultimate goal of the Christian.
Instead, our singular focus is to humbly pursue Christ and His agenda as we live for Him on this earth. As we think about how to measure success in life and athletics, here are FIVE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES for us to consider:
- We are always to aim to bring glory to God, not ourselves.
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)
- We are always to pursue godliness, not medals or trophies.
“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.” (I Timothy 6:6-7)
“For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (I Timothy 4:8)
- We are always to represent Christ in our attitudes and actions, not to pursue our own agenda.
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
- We are always to prioritize the church, not extra-curricular activities.
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
- We are always to play (and live) with an eternal perspective, not an earthly one.
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
If we consistently strive to maintain these foundational principles in this life, then perhaps one day in the life to come we too may hear the sweet words of our Master acknowledge true “success” when He says, “…well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 5:22-23).