Last year, Janet and I started watching a new series on Fox Nation TV entitled, “God, Family, Football.” It is the true story of a high school in Shreveport, LA by the name of Evangel. Evangel is a Christian school and the series chronicles the weekly football games that are played against area rival schools. The Duron family leads the school and has made significant contributions to the school for many years now. Coach Duron is the leader of the football team and I marvel at the way he coaches and leads the students entrusted to his care.
Not only does he teach in class, but he is a pastor and prays frequently at practice as well as before games and other noteworthy times throughout the year. Coach Duron was himself a standout athlete back in the day and while he cares about winning, he gives the glory to God and models that sort of behavior for the students. He connects the dots making faith a part of the daily lives of the school’s students.
The school is filled with students from all kinds of backgrounds. Regardless of background, everyone gets along and it’s like the outside world stops once school begins. The parents are very involved in helping the various teams and support the football effort in a most impressive way.
I think one of the things that I admire about this series is the fact that attitude and the environment of Evangel is so special. The kids, and their families, pray together, cheer one another on and truly revel in each other’s victories. I can identify with that. It’s the thing that I loved most about my own seminary experience.
When I arrived at school each morning (I commuted to seminary), it was like a curtain parted as my car approached the entrance. Once safely in the parking lot, the entire atmosphere was one of equality, service to God and mutual admiration. It was a place that holds some of my fondest memories ever. We cheered one another on, helped one another with projects, challenged one another “as iron sharpens iron” and took on an attitude of banding together to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth.
I would go so far as to say that I guarded that atmosphere in every way I could. My classmates and I were a tea, learning together and challenging each other to be the best that we could be. Even with this description, I can’t adequately explain the feelings that we all had to guard ourselves, to confide in one another, to help one another no matter what, and to be the best that we could be.
To this day, almost 25 years later, I could call any of my classmates and know that I would have their undivided attention regardless of whatever else they were engaged in. I would add that when I was in than environment for three years, I honestly believed that I became a better person – my character got better, in large measure to the company I kept. We all felt that way.
When one of my classmates had a serious heart issue a number of years ago, he left me a voicemail that he was in the hospital about to head into surgery. He wanted me to know that he didn’t know if he would survive the procedure; and wanted me to know that he loved me and would see me in heaven if he didn’t make it through the surgery. I was moved beyond words to think that a person in critical condition would take time to leave me that message. But it was important to him and I cherish that call to this day. It was the first time in my life that I had ever experienced that depth of friendship.
Clearly, none of us is perfect. But to spend years in a kind, loving environment does help to solidly your faith in God and to know that you are a part of a team with a unified mission to bring the Kingdom of God to earth. The closest thing to my experience I have ever seen is the atmosphere at Evangel. I miss my seminary environment. I should also mention that it wasn’t only the students. Dr. Brainine, Dr. King, Dr. Smith and Dr. Kendrick all modeled a Christ like behavior every day I was in school. In fact, whenever Dr. Kendrick heard my voice, he would leave his office, find me in the hall and let me know how much he appreciated me and how welcome I was at school. He was a remarkable mentor.
All in all, we become the product of the company that we keep. An old adage tells us that we should hang around the kind of people we hope to become. Conversely, even people with good character can be swayed by bad company. Our verse for tonight confirms that this statement is biblical. The apostle Paul, who was writing to his church at Corinth, tells his congregation and us, in I Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Coach Duron says that “bad company destroys good character…”
My encouragement this evening is that God wants us to surround ourselves with people of high character and to be unified in our service to the Lord. While we all have different gifts, these work together for the glory of God. My prayer is that we will look for those opportunities to find like minded people and develop strong friendships so that when times get tough, we know where we can turn to get human support in addition to the power of the Trinity. And if you have time, or the inclination, you may want to try out “God, Family, Football” on Fox Nation. The second season just started. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…