Purpose

"For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5: 14-15 

As a sophomore in college, at Abilene Christian University, playing baseball was the primary way I found value in my life. Growing up, I found my value related to sports, as I grew up in a “sports” family – It was our lifestyle.  My father had been an athletic director and a head coach in several sports.  Naturally, when I received the opportunity to play college baseball, I jumped at it.  I started out in Wharton, Texas, at Wharton County J.C. and I struggled for two long years. After that, I was looking to bounce back in a major way.  I was lucky and got an opportunity to play at Abilene Christian University.  It was what I had hoped for – a new beginning.  Again, baseball was the way that I found purpose in my life.

It didn’t turn out like I had imagined it would.  The longer I played the less my heart seemed to be in it.  I remember having several long discussions with my roommate – about life, sports, God, etc.  He was an awesome man of character – I learned a ton from him (more than he’ll ever know).  We often talked about “we reap what we sow” during our talks about how Jesus Christ could impact our lives and even our baseball careers.  Personally, my motivation had always been self-centered and about me – I wanted to be the best.  But I was now facing the end of something I had depended on since childhood to get the affirmation I craved.  Little did I know that through it all the Holy Spirit was calling me.

Through Christ, I found a greater purpose for life.  As God turned my heart toward pleasing Him, I found something greater to motivate me – not only in life but in athletics. With my life and game transformed, I ended my baseball career on a high note at ACU.  It was there that I made Christian friends and began to again grow spiritually and learn about the love of God. Before, I had been motivated by my selfish desires for attention and the favor of others. Now I knew the love of God and began to be “compelled” by His awesome and indescribable love.

I’ve known many people both in and out of sports whose driving forces in life are greed, fame and empty pride. Those, unfortunately all lead to an empty life. We don’t always win in life, and the world seems to only love us when we are on top of our game. Then they are ready to either forget us or condemn us when we stumble. But God’s love is different…He loves us “even while we are sinners” (Romans 5:8) and He loves us “with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 3:31).

What compels you in your life? Are the cheers of the crowd the only compelling reasons you play the game? Or, is the pure, everlasting and incredible love of God going to be the wind that fills your sails? My prayer for my children and all who read this is that we would come to know how great God’s love is for us and that He desires only good things for us regardless of our performance. The freedom we have in Him allows us to move forward in spite of our failures when we are compelled by the love of our Father in heaven.  

Father, we love you.  Thank you for Jesus and for the sacrifice that was made for us.  Thank you for your love and mercy.  It’s through Jesus we pray…Amen.

Casey Dacus 

Graham, Texas