USG member William Bale, Graduate Assistant with Equipment Room Athletics at Virginia Commonwealth University, was the runner-up for the USG's 2024 Fall Reflection Scholarship. Bale's submission can be read below:
Legacy of Encouragement
Hearing Mike Linch discuss the power of encouragement resonated deeply with my heart. Even in my limited years in the sports industry, I’ve witnessed the pressure and focus on the results of your work. Over time, you can begin to feel as if you are merely a tool, expendable based on your performance. The pressure to perform is immense, and every mistake seems to be highlighted and magnified through criticism and apparent reproof. In those moments of failure or burnout, the words we all need to hear are words of encouragement.
God calls us to face hard and challenging situations in life, but He doesn’t leave us there to simply break us down; He wants to build us up. James 1:2-4 states: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” After experiencing our own trials and hardships, we are blessed with the ability to comfort others going through similar situations. 2 Corinthians 1:4 highlights our ability to reflect comfort to others based on the comfort we’ve received during our challenges. I believe this directly applies to the sports industry, where believers can encourage those around them after enduring such experiences. One common mistake, however, is the belief that we should sit back and wait for encouragement to come to us. Not only are we challenged to bear one another's burdens, as stated in Galatians 6:2, but we are also called to be initiators of encouragement, regardless of whether we receive it ourselves. If we do not see a catalyst for encouragement, Christ gives us the opportunity to be one for others! By being an initiator of encouragement, we can create a chain reaction that empowers others to do the same.
Mike Linch began his discussion by referencing Acts 4:34-37, which describes Barnabas as a nickname given by the apostles. Barnabas translates to “son of encouragement.” Mike described Barnabas as someone whom everyone was excited to see because of his uplifting words. His mindset focused on building others up, just as he built up the church at Antioch in Acts 11:23. What I’ve observed most often in the sports industry is the habitual act of pointing out others’ faults and relishing negative talk behind their backs. Resisting this environment and consistently using words to build others up rather than tear them down aligns with Ephesians 4:29. This principle can be incredibly easy to forget when you’re under pressure to conform. I believe my commitment to using my words solely to uplift others—both in their presence and behind their backs—will be challenging because it requires me to stand out. Moreover, gently refuting negative conversations when others engage in them demands a firm resolve about what I will not tolerate. Cultivating this habit can be difficult but is absolutely essential.
To live out a lifestyle of encouragement, I need to actively meditate on gratitude. Specifically, I plan to write down each week the name of someone I’ve noticed doing a great job or someone who has been supportive of me. After reflecting on who they are and what they’ve done, I will speak with them in person or call them to let them know I see them and appreciate their efforts. Recognizing others and their strengths can uplift my fellow GAs at VCU, the people in the departments I interact with, and my professors in my master’s program. Writing down my thoughts will help me articulate my appreciation more clearly and provide structure to my expressions of gratitude. I hope to create a legacy of encouragement that transforms the environment around me. However, my goal is to encourage regardless of the outcomes, because that reflects the character I am called to embody. God is a God of encouragement (Romans 15:5-6), and He gives me the privilege of being His hands and feet in spreading that encouragement.
Thank you, Will, for participating in the Fall 2024 USG Reflection Scholarship! We are also thankful to our sponsor, Texon Athletic Towel, for making this scholarship opportunity possible for all thirteen of our winners!
If you have an interest in taking part in USG's Reflection Scholarship program, be sure to subscribe, or follow us on social for updates on the Spring 2025 Reflection Scholarship.
Comentarios