Throughout my years of working for a sports magazine, I’ve heard many stories about athletes and the help they receive from spiritual mentors. That relationship is usually helpful, but occasionally it seems that the athlete is not guided towards the true source of divine power.

I interview many athletes who illustrate this point. When I say, “Tell me about your faith,” they reply, “Our chaplain really helps us. We know that we can go to him with anything. He is always there for us. We really believe in the chaplain.”

I’m glad that the chaplain is there for them, but I’m sad that the name of Jesus is seldom mentioned. It seems that their focus is on the human helper and that their true source of power, Jesus, is being ignored.

We must remember not to let our devotion to a leader replace our devotion to Christ. Paul reminded us that “neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Cor. 3:7). Too often we put our focus on the leader and not on the One the leader is following.

Are you a leader? Teach people to follow the Saviour, not you the servant. Are you a follower? Follow only those who point towards Jesus—not themselves.

Author

Dave Branon

Topics

Our Daily Bread