I can distinctly remember someone shocking me and telling me I was “not a quitter”. My three brothers grew tired of playing board games with me because I wanted to play and keep playing until I won. Then I wanted to keep playing until I dominated.

I can also remember a lady who told me that I was bright – it shocked me. I had never thought of myself that way. It didn’t make me prideful, it encouraged me to not waste whatever confidence or insight she had about me.

Both of these instances changed my life – a timely word.

Proverbs 15 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—
and how good is a timely word!

Timely words can change the direction of a conversation or of a life, for eternity.

One more memory from my life, DJ asked me, “Ken, who is better able to run your life, you or someone who is perfect?”

This question haunted me until I found the answer in a living Jesus.

My challenge for you today is to realize that as a Sports Chaplain the people around you have given you the freedom to ask them about their souls, to ask about their spiritual walk, to speak into their lives. Few others have that opening. Ask God for the wisdom and boldness to use the freedom and enjoy giving an apt reply!

Lin then adds the following commentary about his coming to treasure Jesus more than basketball success:

When Paul wrote in Philippians to press on for an upward prize, he was living for that, and it made his life meaningful (Philippians 3:15). And I realized I had to learn to do the same. I had to learn to stop chasing the perishable prizes of this earth, I had to stop chasing personal glory, I had to learn how to give my best effort to God and trust him with the results. I have to learn to have enough faith to trust in his grace and to trust in his sovereign and perfect plan. I had to submit my will, my desires, my dreams — give it all up to God and say, “Look, I am going to give my best effort, go on the court and play every day for you, and I’m going to let you take care of the rest.” This is something I struggle with every day. . . . Playing for great stats is nice, but that satisfaction — that happiness — is only from game to game. It’s temporary.

Why would there be the need for a Sports Chaplains Network? Because as Sports Chaplains we have a unique opportunity to be used of God to change lives with a relational, gospel centered ministry through sports.

A couple of days ago I was watching ESPN and saw this video. A great human interest story about a seemingly all powerful Super bowl winning Justin Tuck and a brave young fan with leukemia. But it was more than that for me.

Watch it and then I will tell you why.

…

Did you notice that all of this happened as a result of an unnamed chaplain putting a “bug/suggestion” into the ear of Justin Tuck? As Justin said, it was more that a player/fan relationship – it was a true friendship that changed both of them.

We have an opportunity to change lives that will last forever. We need to be encouraged, and be reminded that “every word” is important when we are with athletes and coaches. You have a high calling.

I think God wanted me to remind you.

Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”