“Your eye is the lamp to your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.” Luke 11:34

Keep Your Eye on the Ball!

Many athletes are known for their great eyes. Joe Mauer, the great young catcher for the Minnesota Twins, became the first catcher in the major leagues to win a batting title. That number is now three and counting. He obviously has a great eye as a hitter. The Lord is looking for all men to have eyes dedicated and disciplined for Him. Men of all ages today are being hit from every angle by sexual images. Because of this, it is critical for us to have male fellowship and accountability partners.

Bill McCartney, the founder of Promise Keepers, spoke of the importance of men meeting in small groups. The small gatherings allowed the men to share their sin struggles and temptations with each other. It was proven that a large group inhibited the men from sharing openly. I was a member of a small group and we expressed ourselves easily and had great success in fighting temptation. We all were given a small “check point” card that we would cover each week. The seventh and final question on the card was; “Have you just lied to me?”

One of the greatest benefits of athletic participation involves personal discipline. This practice must include our spiritual life or we will fall victim to temptation. My friend Zig Ziglar once said; “If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything!” As coaches, athletes and Christians, we must commit to seeking God first in all things and know that He will give us the strength that is needed in this troubled world.

— Jonathan Corrao