This phrase has been emphatically communicated inside dugouts, locker rooms, and on sidelines for decades upon decades. Coaches and players alike have encouraged each other to “FINISH STRONG” late in games when the team needs a little push, and during seasons when the odds seemed stacked against them. The team I managed in Billings, MT this year went through a season like that and the way we united in the face of adversity and ascended a hill that seemed impossible to scale was amazing. We won 17 of our last 19 games and made the playoffs on the final day of the regular season.
In the middle of this late season run we were playing in Ogden, UT and we were told that there might not be a chaplain on Sunday. We decided as a team to host our own chapel service in the training room, so I called my wife to see if she could brainstorm ideas with me. We settled on doing a message about finishing strong and some of the scriptures we used in that chapel service I will share with you today. We kept the chapel as an open forum, and it was awesome to see the players open up and share their thoughts with one another. I knew God was in the middle of this and I was in awe of His presence with our team.
We all go through difficult times and many of them are not on a court or playing field. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you are focusing on finishing strong during a time of great adversity.
Be a Servant Leader
Putting others first is a nice thought that people talk about, but how many actually do it? I believe that the best leaders start out as great followers. They learn on the job and when they are elevated, they remember what it took to get there. Servant leaders lead by example and develop people who are entrusted to them instead of just delegating a job or dumping a task on them. They focus on preparation and helping individuals in their personal growth. This causes buy-in from the team because people know when things get tough the servant leader will be the one who digs in and stands by their side.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25, NIV
Learn From Experiences
I am currently reading a book about Joe Maddon, a three-time baseball manager of the year. In it he talks about having “feel” for the game and using life experiences to help make decisions. A quote I particularly love is one he got from Don Zimmer- “If it comes to your mind, do it.” Learning from past successes and failures are important, and calling back on them helps you have the guts to make a decision that feels right because the situation deems it. Failing at it might get you criticized, but it could also result in a huge win. The more we learn from our past, the more info we have that helps us make difficult decisions in pressure situations.
Persevere Through Difficulties
Another way to say this is “Fight your ass off!” Yeah, I said it. This is a men’s blog so let’s get real. Life is hard and one thing we must do as leaders is show the people that have been entrusted to us that we will fight for them and beside them through difficult times. Pointing the finger of blame at someone because we didn’t end up with our desired result is weak. Sometimes your attitude in a loss speaks more than a quote you give after a win. Prepare the best you can, be accountable for what happens, and live with decisions you make. You will always sleep better knowing that you gave everything you could and never gave up.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7, NIV
In the playoffs we faced the Missoula Paddleheads, who had the best overall record in the league, for the North Division Championship. We won the deciding game of that series 8-7 on the road in 12 innings which is the craziest game I have ever been a part of. We moved on to the Pioneer League Championship Series where we eventually lost to the Ogden Raptors. It was not the result we wanted, but regardless of the outcome the Billings Mustangs finished the season strong. In the interview after the game, I knew what I had to do which is continue to give the players all the credit and God all the glory for our amazing season. It was one of the most special things I have ever been a part of on a field.
