We mustn’t deprive kids of the opportunity to develop their Faith.
“I love sports. Play all the ball you want, but remember this, especially on Sunday mornings.
1% chance of playing professional athletics.
100% chance of standing before Jesus.
Again, play ball, but not at the expense of depriving them of the opportunity to meet Jesus.”
-Ray Zingler on Twitter
I was in church one time and a pastor who I admire said this:
“I hope your kid becomes the baseball player he can be. I hope he makes it all the way to the Atlanta Braves..
But what I hope for far more is that he doesn’t miss Heaven and make hell in the process.”
Now I know this will get the haters and anti-religious folks up in arms, thinking that the pastor was insinuating that if you miss a single Sunday service you’re automatically headed to the firey gates of hell, but that’s isn’t what I am saying at all.
Salvation has little to do with keeping track and trying to win the attendance game inside a man-made 4-walled room and a lot more to do with developing a relationship and trusting Jesus.
With a 4-year-old and 1-year-old, yeah, I watch a lot of online services.
I am not demonizing anybody for playing in sports tournaments.
I love sports more than anybody.
I understand there are going to be inevitable schedule conflicts in this current youth sporting landscape.
But I do have to beg the question, if not now, when?
Our kids are in their most pivotal, developmental, impressionable years.
If we don’t get them to Church and at least teach them about Jesus are they just going to magically develop a relationship?
While Jesus has the supernatural power to come into anyone’s life at anytime, He did ask that we “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
It is our duty to share the gospel, foster, and facilitate the opportunity to develop a relationship with Jesus.
While acceptance is a personal choice, who are we to deprive our children of the opportunity?
We live in a world that doesn’t deprive them of the opportunity to change their gender, but we’ll skimp out on providing the opportunity to meet Jesus, because that 7th ball tournament in a row is more important?
Again, I love sports.
I love having role models.
I think it’s critical for young athletes to emulate their sports heroes, but are we teaching them that their sports and heroes should have Lordship over their lives?
Maybe you aren’t outwardly saying it, but as their leaders, what message are your actions sending?
Through Him will forever be the only way.
