The Baylor basketball team was loaded with stars when it made the 2021 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. However, a reserve player, Matthew Mayer, sparked the Bears to a win over Wisconsin. Mayer scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed six rebounds. His efforts helped Baylor reach the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in program history. All five of those trips have come under head coach Scott Drew, who built Baylor into a powerhouse team following a major scandal in 2003. He’s equipped his players mentally, physically, and spiritually. He’s used the JOY acronym for “Jesus, Others, Yourself.” “This season has been one of the best experiences of my life,” Mayer said last month. “It’s been a great teaching point and has shown me how to win in life.” He shares his faith on social media, writing, “In Jesus name, I play” in his Instagram and Twitter bios.

Joshua 1-2 – Empowered

God gives Joshua a promise: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then immediately, He gives him a command: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:5-6)

When we face any challenge in sports or life, we can take courage from the Lord’s words to Joshua (1:9). We can accept our opportunity from Him and believe He will give us all we need to do it well. We must meditate on His Word, obey it, and work hard. He will do the rest. He will equip us for the task.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete take courage from the Lord’s promises and accept every challenge as an opportunity to glorify Him.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now it happened when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.” Joshua 5:1 (LSB)