The odds are not good for any high school or college athlete making it to the professional ranks. Those who make it will follow a similar road, including a draft and playing for a team following a college career. For some, the journey takes longer and has unexpected twists and turns. An example would be Kurt Warner, who was ultimately inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but not before his career path took more than a few wrong turns. He played college football at Northern Iowa, was signed by the Green Bay Packers, and was undrafted during training camp. He spent three seasons in the Arena Football League before eventually signing with the St. Louis Rams as a backup quarterback. He was bagging groceries for $5.50 an hour before receiving his NFL break.

2 Samuel 6-7 – Choose Obedience Over Achievement

King David experienced many rough spots on his own path when he moved “the ark of the covenant.” For 70 years, the ark had gathered dust in Kiriath Jearim, eight miles west of Jerusalem. For a time, it had been left in a field by the Philistines. God directed the ark to be moved by Kohathites from Levi’s tribe, carried by poles inserted into the gold side rings. David consulted many human advisors (1 Chronicles 13:1), but he forgot to consult God! Though he took 30,000 men, placed the ark on a new cart, and made a great show of the procession, he did the right thing in the wrong way.

The problem wasn’t the big production. The problem was disobedience to God’s word! God only blesses His work done in His way. And God cares about the details! The world says, “Do something, even if it’s wrong!” How stupid! God’s way is to wait for Him. Do only what is right! And do it God’s way and in His Time!

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete compete doing sports God’s way. They know what matters most is doing things His way rather than man’s.

Bible Memory Verse – “And you shall keep the responsibility given by Yahweh your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may be prosperous in all that you do and wherever you turn.” 1 Kings 2:3 (LSB)