The measure of a man

First, my church basketball team loses on Monday. Maybe losing is too nice. We got smoked. We lost by close to 30. We played against a team that definitely has been playing together a while and they systematically broke us down, plus we had both an off-shooting night and flat performance. During the game I battled anger, frustration and my desire to win at all costs. I had a hard time with the loss, because I wanted to win. We all do, I think.

Second the boy's middle school team I coach lost on Tuesday. We were winning at half-time, and close until the final 6 minutes. As the pressure of a close game mounted, we folded and collapsed. One of the most painful ways to lose, because that time is all about heart. And as a coach, like a father or other leader, believes he has done all that he can to prepare his men/family/group for tough times. It is easy to win at easy times, and it is the truly close game that measures the will of your team. My team crumbled, top to bottom, and it reflects on my leadership I believe.

So I need to be more humble. I see Lord. I see the gaping hole I felt after each loss, a hole I created because of the shallowness of my true desires. I know that sports are just a game. But I argue that doing it with all my might, includes pushing myself to win. I think like so many other things, there is a required dualism. I must both give all I have, leaving nothing, and I must realize that the final outcome is not in my hands. I must understand that God controls the outcome. And instead of whining, look for what I can learn from it.