Union College Football - "I know what I'm learning"

Often in this column, the regular reader, has been asked how long they are committed toward pursue of their goal, or how dedicated are you to following your dream? If achieving success is something that happens because of one decision then that is great to know. Reason being, it that is true, would be we are all just one decision away from success. However, I don’t want to bust your bubble or take away your exciting for living, but that type of life living and thinking is not true, even if you want to believe it is. We would all be at the top with one decision to success, but success occurs because of hard work, dedication to purpose and focus. Success also occurs because of the ability we have to sell our dream that others buy into it and believe. One of the great joys in my life has to do with my time as a Mission Service Core Volunteer at Union College in Barbourville. Serving as the Sports Chaplain to student athletes, coaches, and the various teams has so enriched my life with friends, experiences and opportunities for me to share what God gave me in talents.
Today, my perspective in witnessing the Union College Football Team and that success reminds me of Biblical truths that can be witnessed in life if one is willing to pursue the goal, and be dedicated to the dream. Most folks, in times of success, want to reflect on that particular moment and take the praise as it is, for oneself not remembering the real past or those that came before them. Union Baseball Coach Bart Osborne is one exception to that rule of normal action. When the Baseball Team broke the ceiling of achievement at Union, Coach Osborne reflected on those that had filled the dugouts before them, and he honored all those that stepped up to the plate long before and they too had a goal and a dream. That type of living is a witness to Biblical truths because the Bible says that we are to show respect and honor to whom it is due. Something that many Christians conveniently forget to live out in their lives, but my applause to those that have not.
I remember the announcement when the Board of Directors voted to reinstate football on campus, and I recall even the comments of some that considered it to a most unwise decision, a waste of money and not within the best interest of the campus or the community. Today, as then, I know we can find those comments still, but to those who suited up, put on a helmet and hit the heat in three-a-days practice sessions, you did not hear it then, and will not hear it now. Only positive comments fill the lives of those that played the game before this years presents successes, because the disciple to play a sport serves one well in life. The get up and go, and pick yourself back up attitude is one that can be most beneficial in everyday living, raising a family and living life. After all, the Apostle Paul has more then enough to say about all that type of attitude if one wanted to read it for themselves out of the Bible.
I personally witnessed the win against Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee. Ended a 10 year drought against them and reclaiming the “W” for Union’s scorebook was most exciting. Hearing Coach Tommy Reid reflect about all those that played the game and sought after the dream was also humbling and demonstrated the type of leadership the young men on this team witness in their Head Coach. The Biblical truth I see in this example is that the Bible says for us to lay a foundation that others can build upon, and that has been done and today we witness all the hard work of those that came before us. I remember the winless season, and I remember the all so “almost” games that seemed to slip through our fingers and “if only” would have worked, it would have been different. While the wins then would have been so great, I will confess that I am finding the present moments to be just as refreshing in my memory moment as I think about the success of today. Remembering players and coaches who gave their all toward the vision reminds me to continue laying the proper foundation because we never know when the blessings are going to fall, but we can rest assured that when they do, it is so sweet. And, if the blessings do not fall, we will have no regrets, because we will have left all our efforts to achieve on the field where the game was played. We will reflect and have no regret because we did not cheat the man in the glass, and out determination to achieve is only heightened by our struggles and battles to win.