SEEK FIRST

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you."  -Matthew 6:33

Have you ever watched a child run to first base? Most of the time, and I say that very conservatively, they run with a passion that is often missing in professional sports. "Run through it, dig, dig, dig!" I have said that phrase a thousand times to my kids over the years. To me, the play at first represents the ultimate culmination of energy, effort, focus, and drive. As a coach, I can see the passion in their eyes as if this moment in time is all that matters. I emphasize to my athletes that the play at first can often determine the outcome of a game. If you can't get to first, you can't get to second. If you can't get home, you don't score. Basically: Seek first things, first!

     I believe you can also tell a lot about an athlete in how they run to first base. Do they give you their all or do they give you their left overs. I am sure you have seen the typical blooper hit to the infield and the outcome is all but certain- easy out at first. But how many times have you seen an athlete jog to first after the hit certain that they will be out only to have the defense drop the ball or make an over throw to first base? What if the hitter had ran the play out with full effort like they just hit it to the outfield? They most certainly could have made it to first base and maybe even pulled out a double. It is with a determined focus and a commited effort that you should approach each new day and each new game. You should never ever quit! You never know what God will do for you in a tough situation to help out but you will never know if you quit.

Seek first is a motto that competitors can apply not only to their sports but also to their life as they have the power to choose their response to the challenge set before them. In all that you do, always give God your absolute best effort and seek first with passion, no matter how the outcome may appear because it matters not how you begin that tells the story, but rather how you finish: as strong, determined competitors.

Let the competition begin, Let the Glory be God's!