06/14/2023
I am so thankful for another year at The Master's University, as the Track & Field Team's Throws Coach! This was a sweet year where the Lord once again used the sport of throwing metal implements to grow us and bond our hearts together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Indeed, it is my job to train these athletes to throw a shot, discus, hammer, weight and javelin far, but it is so, so much more than that. My job as the Throws Coach at Master's is to walk alongside these athletes, continually encouraging them to keep "eyes up." "Eyes up" is not just a physical cue to keep their eyes up on the horizon as they throw, but eyes up on Christ. Christ is the gift-giver, He is the one who gives the ability to throw, and throwing is another way to worship God, glorify Him and point others to Him. I tell the throwers they have a platform in the shape of a circle or a runway - which is their opportunity to put Christ on the pedestal. When they step in their ring or on their runway to throw, they can offer their throw as a way to worship God and glorify Him. Our Head Coach Zach Schroeder, who I often want to call Pastor Zach, does such a wonderful job shepherding and leading the team as a true servant-leader, continually reminding us all about how sport is an act of worship.
As Coach Schroeder leads us assistant coaches, it is my job as throws coach to walk alongside these throwers through the ups and downs of life, through celebrations and disappointments, to encourage them in their faith, and remind them to keep their "eyes up" on Christ - which is far more important than how far they throw. I tell them, in 5, 10, 50 years, it won't matter how far they throw. What matters is how they use their throwing abilities and gifts to worship and glorify God. I encourage them to use their gifts to the fullest, training whole-heartedly, remembering the blessing of being called by God to this random and crazy sport, and to point to Him.
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