Last night FCA hosted an evening with Dabo Swinney, the Head Coach of Clemson, and it was one of the most inspiring events I’ve ever been to.
Speaking from the heart for over an hour, he made it clear that he wasn’t there promoting Clemson or to just talk about football. Instead, his main focus was on his Savior, Jesus Christ, and how his life is different because of Him.
Putting coaches or athletes or pastors on pedestals (expecting them to be perfect) is dangerous. But when they use their stories, experiences, and platforms to point us toward Jesus we can be encouraged by them.
Dabo shared so many powerful illustrations and practical wisdom that it would take all day to unpack everything, but here are a few of the highlights:
Joy comes from focusing on Jesus, Others, then Yourself.
God turns our liabilities into assets (Romans 8:28).
When we delight ourselves in the Lord He will give us the desires of our heart and we’ll want to do what He designed us to do (Psalm 37:4).
A flat football without air can’t fulfill its purpose for why it was made, and in the same way, we need the Holy Spirit within us to empower us to be who God created us to be.
Standing on a football doesn’t provide much stability, just like building our life on anything other than Christ.
God has the ability to give us the ocean, but we’re walking around with a little bucket of water because we’re not dreaming big enough.
Dabo gave the crowd a lot to think about - mini-sermons inside of a sermon. However, what noticeably stood out to me the most was his deep-rooted joy.
I talked to his older brother before the event and he shared how Dabo has always had a positive attitude and looks at the glass half full - no matter what he experiences in life.
Of course, Dabo knows what it’s like to win at the highest level in his profession and has had incredible success, but he has also lived with little, been rejected and fired, and dealt with death.
We can be inspired by the confident peace, positivity, and joy that Dabo lives out with Jesus as his anchor...and be encouraged by how he demonstrates what Paul tells us in in Philippians 4:11-13 (AMP):
"Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
"I know how to get along and live humbly , and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret , whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need.
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens and empowers me "
Today, regardless of our circumstances, let's choose to live with joy and contentment. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I would be more positive and view my problems as opportunities. I know You're good and working in ways I can't see. Help me be joyful through it all because Jesus is my anchor. In His name, I pray, Amen.
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