Character

The way we conduct ourselves can bring hope and encouragement to the people with whom we
interact. Romans 5 says this:
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

This passage tells us that through life's circumstances, how we respond will communicate the depth of our walk with God; our character is built in the fire of adversity.  James tells us the trying of our faith produces patience.  So, when the pressure is on, we can be challenged to develop a deeper faith in Christ - not trying to address struggles with human wisdom and strength, which are far inferior to the resources that God has made available to us.

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In 2nd Peter 1, the writer lists a number of components contributing to how the character of Christ is expressed through us - he has already talked about the divine power of God made available to us and
the great promises that He has given us. We then see these words:
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The title of National Champions for college football will be awarded on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday night as the Alabama Crimson Tide squares off against the Georgia Bulldogs.   It promises to be a hard-fought contest between two SEC schools.

But, another university has jumped the gun and declared its team to be National Champions - after closing out an undefeated season against Auburn in the same stadium, the University of Central Florida Knights have made that declaration.  You can see it on social media, and the team will be honored with a parade at Walt Disney World this weekend.

It's unofficial, for sure, but one of the Knights players has been recognized for his winning lifestyle.  That would be linebacker Shaquem Griffin.  According to CBN News:

Griffin was the winner of this year's Football Bowl Subdivision 2017 Senior CLASS award, which recognizes outstanding work on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. Each year, coaches, members of the media and fans vote for the recipient.

"It's truly an honor to receive this award," Griffin told the Orlando Sentinel. "A lot of people in our generation like to make excuses for little things. It always comes down to the work ethic for me. God put everyone on the earth for a purpose, and I feel like my purpose is to get away from people making excuses."

The story deals with Griffin's background - he and his twin brother were born with amniotic band syndrome, a condition that lead to Shaquem's hand being amputated at age 4.  Griffin met with Auburn fans Matt and Amanda Davis at the Peach Bowl - they are the parents of twins who have the condition.

Shaquem Griffin is also a nominee for another character-based college football award: the first-ever Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.  The award, launched by the Dallas Cowboys and UT Volunteers star, is, according to a statement on the NBC Sports website, "...Presented annually to the Division I college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field."  The other nominees are Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph and Alabama's Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Minkah, according to Sports Spectrum...

...won the Jim Thorpe Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award and was named a first-team All American.

Fitzpatrick is also strong in his faith in Christ. According to Sports Illustrated, he leads a two-hour Bible study every other Monday and has a message tattooed on his wrist that says: “Take up your cross and follow me.” The verse is a reference to Matthew 16:24, which reads “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me'” (NIV).

Earlier in the season, he wanted to wear John 16:33 on one of his wristbands but was forced to take it off since the NCAA no longer allows players to wear Bible verses on their wristbands.

The Witten award winner will be named Feburary 22.

It's encouraging to see character recognized in the realm of college football.  After all, these athletes have an enormous opportunity to impact kids, and Christian athletes have the chance to use that platform to impact lives for Christ.

Another character-based award, which is part of the assortment of post-season awards featured by ESPN, is the Wuerffel Trophy, which was started by former Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel.  The Northwest Florida Daily News site says that it "is awarded to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement."  Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson was one of the nominees.  The winner was Kentucky's Courtney Love.  According to the SEC Country site, Love...

...leads his Kentucky team in community service hours and has helped mentored children whose parents have been incarcerated. Love volunteers at Amachi Central Kentucky. It’s an organization that pairs caring adults with children in the state who are affected by incarceration in some way.

Love’s community service efforts took him all the way to Ethiopia for a service trip in May 2016. Love helped build houses as well as shoe shining boxes for men to be able to work.

Again, it's great to see character - on and off the field - recognized.  And, I think it's significant that these two guys who have launched awards - Witten and Wuerffel - are both outspoken believers in Jesus Christ.

Character counts, and for the believer in Christ, the way we carry ourselves, the way we behave, is a testimony to the presence of Christ in us.  And, ultimately, while we can be satisfied with our personal achievement, the greatest satisfaction comes through our knowledge that we have obeyed Christ and are displaying His nature in us.

I think it's incumbent on us as a culture to take a few moments to reflect on the good that people are doing - and, there are many individuals, churches, and ministries who are impacting their communities on whom we can concentrate.  I believe that the reputation of the Church depends on how people see what we are doing and then learn why we are doing it.  Good works that flow from the right relationship with Christ, providing the right motivation, can make a tremendous impact on the hearts of people who need to see how God is working.