by Shannon Caughey

No coach strives for mediocrity. Nor does any coach celebrate mediocrity in their athletes or team. Instead, coaches are constantly promoting a different goal: excellence.

Excellence is a worthy goal. It’s also a value that ought to characterize us. Excellence is the fourth of the four biblical values (along with integrity, serving, and teamwork) that are priorities for FCA. We believe these same values are foundational to being the most effective, Christ-honoring coach you can be.

Here’s the challenge: excellence is about more than what happens on the field or court. As FCA puts it, “To pursue excellence means to honor and glorify God in everything you do. True champions pursue greatness in all areas of life.” Sadly, many coaches who strive for excellence in their sport settle for something far short of excellence in other areas—such as their home life, their private world, their relationships, or their pursuit of spiritual growth. Mediocrity in these areas undermines the chance to be truly great according to what God says matters.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 offers us insight for pursuing excellence: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”

This passage points to three dimensions of a game plan for excellence that honors God in everything we do:

1. Find motivation in the ultimate goal.

In comparing what motivates committed athletes to what motivates us when we are committed to living for Christ, the Apostle Paul says, “They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” There’s nothing wrong with going after wins and championships, but recognize that these things have a limited shelf-life in God’s economy. What lasts for eternity is the crown of a life that glorifies God and points others to him. When you’re clear about this ultimate goal, you’re motivated to pursue excellence in every area of life: coaching, family life, relationships, work, etc.

2. Be purposeful in how you order your life.

As Paul puts it, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” No one accidentally becomes a world-class athlete. They order their lives around the pursuit of this goal. To “run in such a way as to get the prize” of honoring Christ requires that you purposefully and thoughtfully order your life around this goal. Build practices into daily life that help you grow closer to Christ and develop the character qualities that reflect the excellence of who he is: things like reading God’s Word, prayer, intentionally giving quality time to your spouse if you’re married and your family if you have children, and loving and serving those around you.

3. Exercise self-discipline in training for true excellence.

Paul speaks of the “strict training” that’s required for champion-level athletes, pointing to how this is just as necessary for anyone whose goal is glorifying Christ. It takes little effort to merely “go with the flow” of what most people around you are doing. To live with excellence that honors Christ, you must exercise the discipline needed to “train yourself to be godly” (1 Tim. 4:7). It takes self-discipline to pursue the habits that are part of purposefully growing in your relationship with Jesus, honoring him as a spouse or parent, glorifying him with your work, etc. It takes self-discipline to respond with Christ-like words and actions in stressful moments, whether in coaching or other areas.

“True champions pursue greatness in all areas of life.” Coach, live with excellence. Run in such a way as to get the prize. May God be glorified through you!

For reflection: In what areas of your life are you settling for something less than the excellence that honors the Lord? Confess this to him and receive his forgiveness. Reflect on what it means to implement the three dimensions of excellence in these areas of your life, trusting Christ’s power and grace.