Victory Formation

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Proverbs 27:17, NLT).

I have been involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for over a year now. One of my greatest joys has been serving the volleyball team at West Jessamine High School as their character coach.

FCA defines a character coach in this way: “A character coach is an FCA trained volunteer who engages, equips, and empowers coaches and athletes through character and leadership development.1 Simply put, I would consider my role to be that of a seed planter.

I’ve had the privilege of showing up consistently to talk about Jesus, share some of my sports experiences, and encourage these young women in their faith. Though the time I spend standing in front of them is limited, my prayer is always that the relationship investment has been the planting of seeds that bear much fruit in the future.

The young ladies that make up the volleyball team are a wonderful group. As I stood before them last weekend ahead of their first round state tournament match up I took the opportunity to thank them. They have been respectful, attentive, and grateful all season long.

What I imagined to be a fruitful experience for them as I planted seeds of faith, and encouragement has been an incredible blessing to me.

I watched them play an amazing, and incredibly stressful, match in the state tournament against a team that has beaten them twice during the season. It was a 5-set match that had everything: blocks, kills, digs, aces, diving saves, lots of mistakes, and some huge plays in pivotal moments. It ended in an incredible victory that sets them up to play in the next round of the state tournament tonight.

As proud as I am of their performance that led to a victory, what I will remember most is the way they supported one another. They exemplified Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Throughout the game I watched as they celebrated each other in the big moments, and picked each other up in their mistakes.

Though the world defines victory by the final score of the game, I will always consider this team victorious because of how they have come together as a group, unified in victory and defeat.

It has been such a joy to walk with them on this part of their journey, and I’m prayerful that they will continue to allow the seeds of faith, support, and encouragement that have been planted this season to be a guide for them as they go forth beyond this season, beyond their athletic careers, and into their lives as women that Jesus loves, and died for. 

1. “Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Transforming Coaches & Athletes: Sports Ministry.” Fellowship of Christian Athletes | Transforming Coaches & Athletes | Sports Ministry. Accessed October 31, 2023. https://www.frcfca.org/character-coach-registration#:~:text=A%20Character%20Coach%20is%20a,entire%20sports%20team%20you%20serve. 

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