In the 1991 movie City Slickers, Jack Palance gives Billy Crystal some profoundly simple advice. When Crystal asks him the secret of life, Palance (Curly) holds up a forefinger and answers with the “one thing” in life, which is the most important to you and will solve all your problems. Coaches and athletes often spend their entire careers searching for the “one thing” without finding it.

When was the last time you heard someone say, “I’m good! I’ve got all that I need!”? This mindset saturates the world of athletics. There is a steady stream of new and improved apparel, facilities, and training equipment from every direction—all designed to help us achieve. Trophies, medals, and plaques lead even Christian athletes and coaches to believe their earthly successes can translate into heavenly rewards.

Philippians 2 – The Prize

Though Paul experienced every privilege Judaism offered, he never regretted his decision to follow Christ. In chapter 3, he describes the “one thing” in his new life in Christ. Now, he was striving to reach the goal of spiritual maturity. This single-minded goal of growing in Christlikeness motivated Paul in his missionary work and helped him choose joy in all things.

Paul’s life’s desire was “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (vv. 10, 11). This motivated him to relentlessly pursue ever-deepening personal knowledge of Christ. His passionate longing is an example for all Christians to pursue the “one thing!” Paul says, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (vv. 13b, 14).

 The Kingdom Coach and Athlete recognize they aren’t perfect in Christ but strive to know Christ more fully. Their pursuit of Christ is originated, Christ-motivated, and Christ-propelled.

Bible Memory Verse – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (LSB)