Spiritual Focus

Week Three (October 26, 2026)

During week three, we continued our exploration of what “love” means from God's perspective, starting with the reminder that when Jesus said the greatest expression of love is when a man lays down his life for his friends, it wasn't theoretical for him. Jesus said it knowing that he would very soon go to the cross to give his life for us, to restore our relationship with our Father in heaven.

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As we seek to follow in Jesus' way, the challenge to live lives of love is a big one, but we are grateful that God gives us a really clear picture of what love is in 1 Corinthians:

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

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Our closing thought was to challenge the image we sometimes have of God has an angry rule-keeper, who is forever judging us for not living up to his standard. The same God who described himself as love (“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8), is directing the very love described in 1 Corinthians 13 towards us. When he looks upon us, he is unfailingly patient, kind, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs, protecting, hoping and persevering. Let's take heart and turn our eyes toward Jesus, who did not come into this world to condemn the world, but to save it. 

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Week Two (October 19, 2026)

During week one, we talked about the atmosphere and culture we're hoping to build within the league. In a world where there's a lot of “dog eat dog,”  we want to be a space where we have each other's backs and care about building each other up, even as we compete hard.

For us, this comes from a recognition that there is a God who loves us and who calls us to love one another. We don't typically throw that word (“love”) around in competitive spaces, but the Bible describes a love that is grittier and tougher than what we may naturally think of. 

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Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this, than that a man lay down his life for his friends.” In a world where there is a lot of pressure to look out for myself and only those closest to me, this sounds like an incredibly high bar. Why pursue it? What motivates us? 

For many of us, it comes from realizing that Jesus acted on those words for us. When Jesus talked about laying down his life for his friends, he was talking about you and me. It's amazing to think that the God who created everything wants me to be his friend (and a friend that he would lay down his life for).​ Hard to wrap our minds around, but as we choose to believe it, there is incredible motivation to follow his lead (and as the Bible tells us, we are able to love because he first loved us). Have a great week, brothers!

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Week One (October 12, 2026)

As we start the new season, we're reminded of our gratitude for bodies that work, a place where we can spend time in good competition, and brothers who can sharpen us and push us to give our best effort. We're reminded of the value of building up those around us (even in the middle of a hard fought athletic contest), knowing this flows from a God who wants to build each of us up ("I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." – Jesus speaking in John 10:10). We're grateful for each of you guys and looking forward to the season!