WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING

            Winning national championships is great. Winning souls for Christ is even better.

            Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney told me at the 2017 NFL draft his main priority is making a positive impact on his student-athletes.

            "I keep my eyes on the Lord in anything I do, and every decision I make, every good or bad encounter, just keep my eyes on the Lord and I believe in myself and I really don't quit doing that," Swinney said.

            Swinney doesn't allow accolades and success to inflate his ego or change who he is as a person and what he represents.

            "Keep my life simple and just embrace what God has called me to do every single day and I never take it for granted," he said. "It's such a privilege to be in a position to impact so many people's lives and as a Christian, I am called to glorify Him and that is just what I try to do and I think as Christians, whatever line of work you are in, try to stay faithful to your purpose in life and as a Christian, it should be to let that light shine."

            We don't have to walk around preaching sermons and reciting scripture to make a difference. We don't need a microphone, a podium or a platform with millions of followers to influence others toward Christ. The best way is to reflect Jesus in our words and in our actions in good times and especially in bad times.   

            In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

            We should not consider this a duty; rather, it's our honor and privilege.

            "I try to be who I am and hopefully how I live my life can make an impact on them," Swinney said. "Hopefully I can at least live my life and go about my business and handle success and handle adversity in a way that's positive for them. My job is to win games. We can win a million games but we got to impact their lives." - Rob Maaddi