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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June 9, 2011


             Write It Down

PROVERBS 29:18- Where there is no vision, the people perish:

Vision is such a wonderful thing that it transcends the biblical meaning. It is such a wonderful trait in a natural and/or world reference.

The Bible’s definition of vision refers to a revelation; from let’s say a prophet, and how the divine guidance is revealed. These visions must be written down, made plain (easy to understand), easy to pass on to others and lastly people must be patient because the visions are for an appointed time ( Habakkuk 2:2,3).

It is very important to know the vision of God is to not become or remain ignorant to his ways and rules. The scripture encourages us to accept and obey the divine guidance or we will perish. This can be literal, because the result of sin is death, or a figurative translation, with perish meaning away from God’s will and protection, in other words—dead! The fiber that connects the spiritual meaning with the natural meaning is that need to write down the vision or goal. Many people in the natural dream big dreams and think this is a vision. The difference between a dream and a goal is simply the step which includes writing down the dream to progress it to a goal. Visions or goals, short term or long term, must be written down so that the progress toward achievement can be monitored, assessed and changed (if need be) to aid the dream to completion.

Some folks have daily goals that they use to guide their day. The visions for the day are written down in a planner or Hallmark type calendar. These are short term goals that can structure the plan for a particular day. The daily plans may or may not need strategies to accomplish but as the time frame increases, the need for strategies becomes essential.

Strategies make the vision easy because the focus is on the strategies, and the vision is not so overwhelming that it causes the person to abandon the vision. A common goal for a student might be to improve or maintain a particular grade in a particular subject. If the student can create, let’s say three strategies to help accomplish the goal, the vision of a good grade for that class is easy. Strategy number one: complete all required assignments. Now this particular strategy may need to be a separate goal with its own set of strategies. Writing down all assignments, regular study time at home and possibly a tutor would help to complete all assignments.

Scheduling regular help sessions with the teacher would be strategy number two.

The third and final strategy would be to request and complete all extra credit. As you can see visions require the visionary to work extra sometimes. Imagine that working hard for my visions!! The vision to maintain or improve a grade will most certainly be accomplished if these strategies were implemented. While speaking in the natural, visions and goals can be synonymous. The vision will require the same effort and attention to details as any goal set by an individual. You must write a plan for the work in order to facilitate how you work the plan. Character traits such as being organized, well prepared and proactive are all a part of having vision and recording the steps in accomplishing that vision.

 It is much easier to assess your goal if you can see or not see progress. If the strategies are not progressing your vision then re-evaluate the strategies—NOT THE VISION!! The vision just needs a renewed set of strategies that are measurable and obtainable. Don’t give up on a vision because it is not happening as fast as you would like. You have to remember that God said that the visions are for an appointed time, so you must be PATIENT. In the sports realm this becomes possibly the most important part of visions and goals. An athlete must write down and monitor the short and long term goals. Create strategies that can be focused on to keep the vision from seeming unattainable.

And lastly adjust the strategies by frequently assessing the measurable parts of the vision. A vision of becoming a Varsity player can be broken down into some short term goals that will lead to the longer term goals and toward reaching the vision. Write down the plan, make it plain, be ready to pass on the knowledge obtained to others who may have the same goal and be patient as you strive to accomplish the vision. This is not just super practical, it is Biblical. When divine guidance is accepted order is restored. Couple this godly vision with the strategies that are well thought out, measurable and obtainable, and you need not worry about the consequence of perishing. You will be choosing life not death, obedience not a lack of vision.

                                                                                                                        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