God's Hall of Fame

Being selected into a Hall of Fame is probably the highest honor that an individual athlete or coach can be awarded here on this earth. The screening process through which a Hall of Fame nominee is approved for enshrinement is very meticulous. Some inductees have had very convincing resumes and were approved by the committee on the very first vote. Others may have been on the ballot multiple times and still have not been voted in. It is a very exacting process because the Hall of Fame is reserved for only those who have accomplished something unique, amazing, or great.

This stands in contrast to the criterion for entrance into what some would call “God’s Hall of Fame”. Entrance into God’s Hall is not based on great talent, abilities or accomplishments. There is only one criterion for entrance into God’s Hall. That criterion is faith. You don’t have to be talented or gifted to exercise faith. However, the important thing is not simply that you have faith, but that you have a worthy object in which your faith is placed. Faith derives its value from its object. The most deserving objects of your faith are the Word of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Over the past few months at our church, we have been studying through the book of Hebrews. We have recently reached the eleventh chapter which includes the list of the great characters of faith. This chapter is often an inspiration to me personally as I am challenged by their examples. These people were great believers in God and they evidenced their faith by their actions. It didn’t matter how they felt. To them, faith was “believing the Word of God and acting upon it no matter how they felt, knowing that God promised a good result in His time”. How about you? Would this describe your faith?

Coaches need to be men and women of faith who act in obedience to the truth regardless of feelings. A coach’s emotions can run the gamut from the “thrill of victory” to the “agony of defeat”, but there should be a steady confidence in following God’s plan. The eternal plan is to make a difference in lives. To make a difference that will last for eternity. While making that difference may not land you in a Hall of Fame here, you are making an impact that will reap eternal rewards. Stay faithful.

I hope the following poem is an encouragement to you as you may labor in obscurity, coaching a small group of young people that no one ever notices. Your faithfulness to make an eternal difference will one day be rewarded.

God’s Hall of Fame
To have your name inscribed up there is greater yet by far,
Than all the “halls of fame” down here and every man-made star.

This crowd on earth, they soon forget the heroes of the past,
They cheer like made until you fall and that’s how long you last.

I tell you, friend, I would not trade my name however small,
If written there beyond the stars in that celestial hall.

For any famous name on earth or glory that they share,
I’d rather be an unknown here and have my name up there.

-Anonymous