Winning is Not an Indication of Success…God’s Glory is.

As a society, we often allow winning to be the dictator of what is considered to be a success. But if I’ve learned anything over these last 2 years, it’s that winning is not an equivalent of success. The equivalent of success is leaving an impact that changes the lives of those around us.

Over the last couple of years I’ve gotten the opportunity to be a part of an incredible softball program that has been super successful- yet, we never got a first place national trophy. In fact, we got a second place trophy at nationals last year and a second place trophy at regionals this year. At first, it hurt a lot to lose out on the “best” prize. Yet; looking back now the Lord has taught me a lot through the second place title and it now means more to me than a first place trophy ever could. 

What we fail to realize is that a first place trophy doesn’t significantly impact the people that are involved. Yes, there’s a celebration season that lasts a while… but over time it fades. That win eventually becomes a memory and the trophy ends up in the attic a couple of years later. 

But what doesn’t go away is the impact you get to make on the people around you. 

The Lord taught me this year that every single day we have the opportunity to make an impact on somebody if we choose to act on it. He taught me that being a light to the people around us and walking hand-in-hand with them just as Jesus did is what truly makes an impact. 

Jesus was successful this season. He changed lives. Teammates accepted Christ. People's faiths were deepened. He shined. He got the glory. Teammates who haven’t ever prayed in their lives before prayed together before our final games. Why? Because as a team, we knew that only by his grace we would come together and walk away as a team. That is true success. 

When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we soon realize that the things of the world fade away- including the trophy’s and the awards and the fame. But what doesn’t go away is His light and his love. When we walk with him we are walking in victory. 

Even if it’s a second place trophy, it truly has a much bigger prize.