Give Your Best Effort: Soccer Lessons

"The result doesn't matter as long as you give your best effort."

   This quote sometimes catches some of my players off guard. I also had problems believing it when I was a player at times. But, I believe it now let me tell you why.

One year I was coaching my Junior Varsity team and I had many new players who hadn't played soccer before. Thus, the beginning of the year was rough. As the season went on we played a team who beat us the prior year 6-0. We implemented everything we had been working on that season during that game and ended up tying that team. I was very proud of my girls because they played well, put the effort in, and did everything I asked.

   The next day we played another team. This team had 1 sub. This team had not won any games that year. We played well the first half and were winning 4-1. At that point I backed off because it doesn't feel good to crush a team's spirit (some coaches may disagree but I have my reasons for saying that). The girls were hyped and let up in the second half. I was not happy. We ended up winning but the final score was 5-2. That meant that if we had only played the 2nd half we would've tied that team.

   I looked at my girls and asked them how they felt about the result. Many were hanging their heads. They said they didn't feel too good about it. I said, that's why I want you to put your best effort forward and let the result happen. Then I dismissed them. One of the girls came up to me and said, "Coach, I know that was our first win but I am more proud of our tie yesterday than our win today. Is that bad?" I said "no." Then we moved on.

   My girls learned this lesson that day. They knew they didn't put a good effort in the whole game so the win didn't feel much like a win. In life if you don't give your best it probably doesn't feel too good if you don't get the result you were expecting.

   Galatians 6:7-8 says: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." If you don't put the work and effort in that's your best you will probably not get the result you wanted. God knows if you are doing your best. He wants you to give your best in all you do. He doesn't want you to do that simply so you get rewarded on earth. He wants you to do that for him.

   Colossians 3:23 says: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." If you choose not to give your best you are not only letting yourself and your co-workers down but God as well. Will God still love you? Yes, but you are not following his word. God wants you to give your best for him. Will you always get the result you were expecting if you give your best? No, but you will have done what God asked you to do.

   So, do you always give your best effort? Do you work hard even though you may not get the result you were expecting? How can you put in a good effort today?
   Image from here.