The most impactful book in my life other than the Bible is Wes Neal’s Handbook on Athletic Perfection. Here’s an excerpt from his book. “Most (coaches) and athletes are driven by the quest for personal recognition. Although there are exceptions, the athlete’s desire to find recognition drives them to endure grueling workouts. Coaches who are aware of this motivation force of recognition use it in various ways to generate top performances. Circumstances usually dictate which of these natural motivational forces to use. The most common are revenge, fear, and anger.”

By contrast, Wes teaches that your love for God never depends on your circumstances. It comes from the greatest motivational force of love, upon which God operates (John 3:16).

“Based upon 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, you will experience a new quality of athletic performance as you unleash your love for God. You will sense a new enduring power: ‘Love is patient.’ You won’t purposely call attention to yourself: ‘Love does not brag.’ You will look out for the benefit of your teammates and opponents: ‘It does not seek its own.’ Any wrong done to you by teammates, coaches, or opponents will not affect your performance because you won’t keep a mental record of the wrong actions of others: ‘does not take into account a wrong suffered.’ Your attention will be focused on God’s perspective in every situation: ‘hopes all things.’ Finally, you will trust God for whatever results come, knowing He is always in control: ‘endures all things.’ God desires you to have your love for Him expressed through your athletic performance.”

2 Corinthians 5 – A Holy Ambition

Paul teaches in Chapter 5 how the Christian worker must have the right motive for ministry as well as the right message. We are to make it our ambition to please Him (5:9). There is a worldly ambition, but there is also a holy ambition that honors God. Paul’s ambition or goal was to be pleasing to Jesus Christ.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete view themselves as ambassadors for Christ who are motivated by love. Ambassadors represent their homeland and its messages and policies.

Bible Memory Verse – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (LSB)

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