Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her first home run in her college career with two runners on base in a playoff game against Central Washington University. While rounding the bases, she missed first base. As she started back to tag it, she collapsed with a knee injury.

She was only able to crawl back to first but could do no more. She would be called out if her own teammates had helped her around the bases. Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky. The umpire said there was no rule against it. “We started laughing when we touched second base,” Holtman said. “I said, ‘I wonder what this must look like to other people.”

“We didn’t know that she was a senior or that this was her first home run,” Wallace said. “That makes the story more touching than it was. We just wanted to help her.” Holtman said she and Wallace weren’t thinking about the playoff spot and didn’t consider the gesture something special. “In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much,” Holtman said. “It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run.”

Romans 16 – Express Your Gratitude 

In chapter 16, Paul wraps up Romans with a doxology (25-26), an expression of praise to God intended to bring glory to God. His example inspired several classical composers to place these words at the bottom of their manuscripts: Soli Deo Gloria. The Latin phrase means “Glory to God Alone.” They wanted their accomplishments to glorify their Lord. The term signified that the work was produced for the sake of praising God. How can you use sports or your athletic achievements to glorify God? While Sara Tucholsky’s illustration is inspirational, let me suggest a few things that need to be part of athletic performance for a Christian athlete or coach:  Openly admit your dependence on the Lord for success; share credit with teammates; and express gratitude to God, both in prayer and in discussion with others.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete make a deliberate effort to glorify God in competition. They look for opportunities to serve others through the gifts God has blessed them with to praise God.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.” Romans 16:17

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