By Rob Globke,
At some point in life you are bound to face rejection. Whether it be getting cut from a hockey team, or not getting hired for a job, life is full of moments where you face the feeling of being unwanted. It’s not easy to go through this process. And sometimes, it can be downright devastating. Yet, there is good news. The bible holds a treasure trove of truth that is useful in all parts of our lives...even facing hockey tryouts. Below are 5 truths you can take to the bank if you believe God’s word is living and active.
Truth #1 - You Are Loved By God
- Romans 8:38-39 -
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The phrase, “I’m not worth God’s love” should never enter your mind. But, we all know that sometimes it does. One of the times this thought creeps in between the ears is when you get cut or make a mistake. You may start to wonder if you’re “good” enough for God. You question if he even notices you. You doubt he cares about you. When you fail you can occasionally fall for the lie that you are not worthy to be loved by God.
But
Romans 8 reminds you of the truth that you are loved by God. You are loved by God not because of what you do, but because of what he did for you. Jesus Christ did not put on human flesh and pay the penalty for your sins because you had everything figured out. He came to earth precisely because you didn’t have it figured out, don’t have it figured out, and never will have it figured out apart from Christ. So, when you find yourself feeling unworthy after messing up or missing the mark, remember that God loves you. Nothing will be able to separate you from this love...not even getting cut from a hockey team.
Truth #2 - You Were Created For Good Works
- Ephesians 2:10 -
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
You are God’s workmanship!
Wow. Think about that for a second. God created you special and unique. You are one of a kind. This is an amazing reality. Not only were you created as the only version in the world, you were created for good works. So, if you put this together. God created you specifically designed for certain works. And, he did all of this before you were even a thought in your parent’s mind. Pretty cool, uh?!?
What does this have to do with tryouts?
Well, if you think about it, this truth is incredibly reassuring as you face the pressure of tryouts. You can be sure that God has some pretty cool things for you to do. Things that are for the good of others and yourself. So, even if you don’t make the team, you can rest in the promise that God has other things in store. You may be upset and angry things didn’t go your way, but you should be at peace that the creator of the universe has prepared something important for you. He knows where you need to be in order to carry out the good works you were created to achieve. Trust that God knows what he is doing far more than you could ever know.
Truth #3 - You Can’t Go Far Without God
- Psalm 127:1 -
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
This one is probably more for coaches, but can still be used by players to meditate on during the tryout season. The phrase “labor in vain” from Psalm 127 is such a heartbreaking set of words. How sad is it to put in a ton of work only to realize it’s all for nothing. Indeed, it is good to work hard in the gym or on the field getting ready for tryouts. Without a doubt, it is good to eat right and sleep well so you have energy to perform your best. No question, it is good to spend a lot of time making sure your equipment is ready for action. But it’s not good if all of this work is done apart from reliance on the Lord. During tryouts, it can be easy to get lost in the lie that you are the one making things happen. But, if this is how you operate you fool ourselves and all your work is done in “vain”. Don’t fall for this trap. Lean on the truth that when you fully trust God is the one ultimately doing the work, you are laboring fruitfully.
Truth #4 - You Play For God
- Colossians 3:23 -
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men
The undeniable fact according to Colossians 3:23 is that you are not playing hockey for man’s approval or man’s adoration. You play hockey for the glory of God, or at least you should. So, as hard as it may be, you must realize that the old saying is really true, “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” Of course, winning is fun. It is a gift of God. It brings joy. But in the end, God is not ultimately concerned with how many wins you get. He is not keeping a record of how many teams you make. Oh, he knows all of this information, but it doesn’t hold weight with him. What holds weight with God is how you play during a game or a tryout; specifically where your heart is at while on the ice. Who are you trying to please? Man or the Almighty God? Find joy in the truth that you play for God and go out and just play. You can control that. Don’t obsess about what everybody thinks because you can’t control that. Play as if God is the only one watching because you know he always is.
Truth #5 - Your Pride Is Not Good
- Proverbs 16:18-19 -
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
This may be more of a warning than a truth...but work with me here!!
There will be times when we do make the team. This is such a great feeling. It will bring a smile and laughter. It will be joy. Yet, we are reminded in Proverbs that if you let your ego get out of control, you may experience a fall. You always have to remember the golden rule given by Jesus Christ, “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” (Matt. 7:12) In the midst of your joy, there will be others who will experience sadness, anger, shame, and fear. Put yourself in their shoes. Would you want someone proudly and boastfully flaunting around the locker room? Probably not. Remember it is God who gives and he can also take away. That is his right as God. Be thankful for the opportunity you have to play a great game. Be thankful for the gift of making the team. But, don’t let your own heart fool you into thinking you did it all on your own.
