A new season

Each season is different and I have learned that everything from the way we practice to the devotions has to align with the makeup of the team. Is the team filled with veterans, or will younger players need to step up? Do the returners have significant varsity reps? Are we strong, fast, football smart, etc.

What I do know is that you do not get a second chance to make a first impression. That is why I take some extra time to prepare my remarks for the initial team devotion each season. This year our team returns a number of veterans from a team whose inaugural season was filled with moments of promise covered with significant self inflicted wounds.

My goal is to set the tone for the season. To present the landscape and to focus the team on the methodology as to how we achieve playing in the state title game. The following is an outline of the devotion:

Gentlemen, we embark upon a new season with the same goal, a State Title. You have the speed, the strength, and the skill to take this team all the way to the championship. But physical attributes alone are not enough to secure victory. In Proverbs 21:31, we are reminded that "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord." 

Preparation and physical readiness are crucial, but the battle is won with heart, mind, and spirit. Sun Tzu, the legendary military strategist, once said, "Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." This teaches us that our mindset and strategy are just as important as our physical condition. 

We must envision our victory and prepare mentally for every challenge. Here are the facets we need to focus on: 

 1. Mental Toughness: The game of football is as much a mental battle as it is a physical one. You must be resilient, adaptable, and focused. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but it’s your mental fortitude that will see you through. "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7). Harness that spirit of power and self-control in every play. 

 2. Teamwork: We are not a collection of individuals but a single, cohesive unit. Every play, every game, every season is a collective effort. Sun Tzu emphasized the importance of unity: "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Know your teammates, trust them, and work together seamlessly. Unity will be our strength. 

 3. Discipline: Discipline in practice leads to perfection in performance. Every drill, every training session, every game plan must be executed with precision and dedication. Proverbs 12:1 tells us, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." Embrace discipline, learn from corrections, and strive for excellence in all you do. 

 4. Passion and Heart: The love for the game, the desire to be the best, the passion to play with all your heart—these are the intangibles that drive us. As Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Play with heart, give it your all, and leave everything on the field. 

 5. Strategy and Preparation: Each game requires a solid strategy and meticulous preparation. Sun Tzu advised, "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." We must be prepared for every eventuality, ready to seize any opportunity that comes our way. Study the playbook, know your opponents, and be ready to adapt and overcome. 

 This season, let's combine our physical gifts with mental toughness, unity, discipline, passion, and strategic preparation. Let’s embody the spirit of champions both on and off the field. We have all the elements we need to succeed. 

Let's make this season one for the history books. Remember, victory rests not just with our physical abilities, but with our minds, our hearts, and our spirits. Let's dedicate ourselves to diligent preparation. Let's fight through the inevitable pains. Let's dominate and be champions.