@powertochange:

Humility and Service: The Foundation of a Significant Life

Written by Jennifer Penner

October 17, 2013

“We’re just ordinary people who have been blessed,” says former NHL player and President of the Abbotsford Heat, Ryan Walters. “We have an opportunity through that blessing to share God’s love, that’s it.”

For a successful sports celebrity, this isn’t a typical response to the question, what does it mean to live a life of significance? But then again, Walters is a born again Christian. To him, a life that truly counts is one where he can be remembered by two words, “presence and service.”

The same could also be said of his peers, Wally Buono, Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager for B.C. Lions, and Travis Lulay, Quarterback for B.C. Lions – both highly acclaimed in professional sports. When asked about the one thing that they would want to be remembered for, Buono and Lulay both mentioned being known as someone who put others before themselves. For instance, Lulay shared how he strives to live this way by reaching out to players in the locker room and being the one that asks others how they’re doing.

Over 80 guests listened intently as these celebrities shared their insights on what it means to live a life of significance with personal honesty, openness, and humour. The environment was laidback and friendly at the Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen, B.C., following the inaugural Life of Significance Golf Classic organized by Athletes in Action (AIA) and LeaderImpact (ministries of Power to Change). On October 3, 2013, the tournament brought together ministry supporters, sponsors and friends for a full day of golf, culminating in an evening program with Walters, Buono and Lulay.

For these sports celebrities, a life of significance is less about them and more about God and others. Walters spoke about the importance of defining one’s value and purpose (i.e. why am I here?) and making sure he is doing what he’s made to do in the context of following God. Buono defined a significant life as one that has a positive effect on others, not personal achievement. Lulay relayed how his life is grounded in knowing Christ and he strives to live in light of this. He is committed to being a good role model for kids, not just a good athlete.

In their own ways, all three speakers have achieved much in their sports careers. But, to them, all the achievements and accolades do not define who they really are. Having their identity in Christ is more important and allows them to put it into proper perspective. As Buono puts it, “God gives you a gift so you can do your life’s calling.” He adds, “If I can boast in anything, I’ve been faithful in giving God the credit for everything. When I look back, I believe it’s only by God’s grace that I am what I am.”

While people often glamourize the lives of athletes and sports figures, these men shared about the struggles and difficulties of their careers, including the reality of always being scrutinized – whether in the media or by the people around them. In light of this, Buono spoke about the importance of being in tune to what God wants you to be (not what others want you to be). Sport forces one to have what Walters calls “mental toughness.” “I’ve been living in Philippians 4:8, whatever is good, awesome, excellent, think on these things. Because the longer we go, the more negativity is said about us.”

In sports, you are praised by how well you perform and this can easily become a source of pride for an athlete. But as a Christian, Walters shared how he keeps himself in check: “Scripture says if you receive accolades from men, you will not have them from your Father in heaven… There’s only one way that I knew that I was on spiritually, if I could look up at the crowd and just see Jesus.”

Humility. Service. God. Jesus. It’s not every day when one hears those words and concepts discussed in the world of professional sports. But for Walters, Buono and Lulay, it’s at the heart of what they do – and through their testimonies, others can discover what a life of significance truly means.