For the Glory of God

Last week, I  requested prayer for Jake and his soccer teammates as they were preparing to travel to Hong Kong for a soccer tournament. 

They left early Tuesday morning playing games Wednesday through Friday to determine which teams would play for the medals.

This tournament historically has not gone well for our Mustang players. The competition is stiff; soccer is serious business in these Asian schools. Even when our teams have performed well throughout the season, they struggle to win in  conference play.

After their first win Wednesday, the door opened slightly. This was the first time in three years the team opened the tournament with a victory. The opposing team had come out on top the last two confrontations. Maybe, just maybe, they were going to be in contention for the championship game.

The seniors!

The next game gave them even more confidence in their ability to compete. Jake added a goal to ensure the victory.   

By Thursday, they were securely in the third place with two more chances to catapult themselves into the final. Their opponents on Friday were last year's winner and runner-up. 

As a parent, you want your children to always do their best. No matter what the sport or competition.

 Friday morning, as I contemplated the challenge ahead of Jake and his team, my spirit suddenly had a quickening. Now, I know that sounds strange, but when the Holy Spirit plants an idea in your heart, its hard to describe the feeling. I suddenly realized that I shouldn't be praying for the team to play their best game, but rather for them to play for the glory of God. 

All day that phrase kept tumbling round and round my heart and brain. By playing for the glory of God, they would play their best.  No matter a win or loss, they would be successful. Their focus would change from a temporary emotional status, to a relational eternal focus. The joy of victory or disappointment of a loss is temporary, but their relationship with God, the father, is eternal. 

Needless to say, my prayer changed. 

But the Holy Spirit didn't stop there. He led my thoughts to my own life. What would happen if I did everything I do in for the glory of God? What if my focus swiveled off myself and my roles as wife, mom, teacher? What if all I did became a reflection of God's presence shining out of me?

Constructive criticism would improve my skills instead of causing grief and anger.

Failure would become a springboard to success.

Fear would cease to cripple and control.

I would no longer need to work to look good in the eyes of man.

The list goes on and on. 

Everything I would do would be done to simply please  God.

I don't have to be the best. As long as I keep my heart focused on God, and strive to do all I do for His glory, all will be well.

I don't know about you, but that's a liberating idea.

By the way, Jake's team lost the last two games. They were competitive battles, but the other two teams took home the win. Despite the disappointing results the day before, our Mustangs played for the bronze position Saturday morning, and were able to bring home the bronze medal.

I am one proud mama!