Shaming of theTrue 

A fresh and unique blending of two traditionally disconnected topics---spirituality and sports. Follow Sly Young as he attempts to accomplish the feat of playing professionally in the three major sports using positive character traits taught through scripture.

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Contentment vs. Complacency


Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

The are several misunderstood qualities that are tossed around. There has always been an amusement with the trait of contentment. I can specifically remember several references to “being content” and getting the feeling that contentment was a bad thing. The other term that frequently fell into the misunderstood category was and is pride. Pride, which is used to describe a good thing, is biblically bad. Contentment, which is often criticized as a bad thing, is biblically good. “You go through life and then something comes along to make you question that life.” That line is from a very funny commercial about iced tea. An elderly man explains that he has been married for fifty years. He then goes on to say that he has lived in the same house for forty-eight years. He then looks at a glass of iced tea and says he has been drinking the same tea for longer than he has been married or lived in his house. He recently had to try another tea because it was the only iced tea that restaurant served. The new tea was the best tea he had ever tasted. He says with a bewildered look on his face, “You go through life………..” So was the case with contentment.

“You can’t be content with a “C” in biology.” “How can you be content coming in second place two years in row?” Or lastly, “don’t be content if you are not in the starting line-up.” All these are comments coming from parents, coaches and players about the negative nature of contentment. There is no other choice but to think it is a bad character trait to possess. The confusion is thinking that contentment is a synonym to complacency. Complacency deals with a lack motivation and apathy. A team, player or student cannot be complacent. You must always strive to do your best. You can never be complacent if you are trying to be the best because improvement will always follow. Contentment is directly related to the emotion happiness. The enemy of contentment is almost always the desire for more. Too many people are brainwashed to think that more is better or that having more will make you happier. Money and/or material things will never equal true happiness. Neither will the belief that your happiness can somehow be the responsibility of someone other than yourself. God wants you to know that when this contentment piece is in place happy people follow. He encourages us to be content when we are blessed with much. And on the other hand we must learn to be content when we have a little. The contentment cannot be based on external or material conditions. You most certainly can be content with a “C” in biology, if and only if you have tried your best and this is the accurate assessment you receive. The question of “settling” for second place is not the same as realizing that in the world of athletics somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. God is only suggesting sportsmanship, which we have defined earlier as gracefully accepting the outcome. Contentment is gracefully accepting the state you are in. A very funny Pastor always makes it a point, when he refers to this scripture, to name the “states” in which to be content. He says be content in Ohio, Kentucky or any state you may be in. The point always rings through that God wants us to depend on Him to fulfill our needs. True happiness brings about a sense of peace that has very little to do with possessions temporary conditions.

That is really what will always be encouraging to a player who may not be one of the starters in a team sport. The easiest example is a football team of fifty or more players. Coaches can only field a team of eleven at a time. Contentment encourages developing roles and role players. The role of the non-starters is to push the starters to prepare and improve during practice sessions. This is a very important component to all teams. This also goes to the roles created within the different starters. The skilled or more glamorous positions are supported by other players who have to be content with the fact that the quarterback, for example, gets more glamour than an offensive lineman. This sense of fulfillment creates an atmosphere that produces a lineman who does his job to the max and the team benefits. God’s illustration is very clear in 1 Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” He is making it simply to understand, even if you have been trained to believe that the bigger, better deal will lead to true happiness. Great gain and/or wealth comes with the combination of being devoted to God and contentment. It’s the deception that produces the idea that happiness is rapped up in possessions which has to be eliminated. We all came into the world without anything and will most definitely not be able to take it with us when we die. Focus on God and be content with a little or a lot. Nobody told you that this combination will give you great gain. You go through life and then something comes along to make you question that life.

                                                                                                       Fred Tudor

Fred Tudor is a twenty-two year employee of the Cincinnati Public Schools as a Health and Physical Education teacher. He has been coaching at the high school level in Greater Cincinnati since graduating from Wittenberg University in 1979. His coaching stints includes stops at his alma mater Walnut Hills High School, Hughes Center High School, and from 1990 until present coaches at Wyoming High School. His church home is Cincinnati Bibleway Church in Madisonville, Apostles James and Grace Blue Pastors. Contact Information: 513.328.2767 E-Mail: Info@CincySportsWorld.com