A coach asked me the other day how I would define success. Winning the game was the first thing that came to mind. According to the coach, that was incorrect. If the players on my team gave their very best and the opponents also gave their best, the winner could be determined by a lucky bounce, the clock running out while you are ahead, or a call by the referee. In those cases, the win would not have defined success in the game.

            Success, in this coach’s opinion, was getting players to give their very best in each game. If each player gave their very best in each game, the likely result would be a series of wins. If the game ended with a loss, then the players would at least know they gave their best. There would be the sadness of a defeat, but without regrets.

            The problem comes when the game ends and players know that they could have played better or competed more fiercely. They did not dig within themselves to bring out their very best. The drive to succeed did not emerge and the victory was not achieved.

            I spoke to an athlete recently about an upcoming game. I wondered what the athlete was expecting the outcome to be. Their opponents had not experienced a loss in quite a while; in fact, they were a highly ranked state-wide team. I asked the student if they were familiar with the story of David and Goliath. Well, yeah, but their opponents were simply a better team. I reminded the student athlete that Goliaths have to fall. Victory was possible.

            We are often convinced that records can’t be changed. Superior coaches always win. I believe that each time a game begins anything can happen. Sometimes in sports it is referred to as the Cinderella team winning the game or the tournament. One team enters the field believing that David can defeat Goliath, giants sometimes fall, victory belongs to the victor. The weaker team entered the contest hungry for a win.

            Success on a playing field may be achieved even if the victory was lost. Suppose an inferior team almost defeats a far superior team? Suppose an inferior team keeps a superior team from a complete slaughter. Suppose an inferior team creates doubt and fear even though they ultimately lose. Making your opponent respect you can be success.

            So what does success look like in the Christian walk? Some might suggest a sin free life, but there was only one who achieved that. Maybe it’s being a pious person of prayer. I agree that communication with God is critical, but I believe God wants us to share His message with the world. Some may define success as those who enter the ministry, but even that falls short because some ministers have a negative impact on the world.

            Success in the Christian walk does not imply winners and losers. I don’t believe God is cheering for some churches or individuals and rooting against others. God desires that each person and church achieve success. In the spiritual realm, that is possible. The difference between spiritual and athletic success is that all people are capable of success.