April 15, 2024 - "A Badge of Honor" - I think not!

In 2007 a new product hit the athletic market in America… yet it was initially a product that was “earned” by a group that had risen to the top of their game… the product was introduced in Las Vegas to the US National Team for hoops… it included Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, etc. The product was Nike ELITE socks, and Nike would quickly get their design department to work to provide an opportunity for the general public to purchase these socks… and even customize them to their own liking… I can remember young players strutting in with their new socks on, as though gong to a store and spending money made them a great basketball player…

I have probably written about these socks in the past on these weekly Game Plans, yet I saw an article written from a design/advertising perspective (DesignBloom) talking about the rise of popularity in these socks all over the globe, and what they represent, and I quote, “the logo is a badge of honor of the court…”  

Well, the coach in me gets a bit fired up… you don’t purchase elite status, you earn it! ELITE status should be the result of ELITE accomplishment via ELITE work… The reality is that I can purchase and wear a pair of Nike ELITE socks, but it sure won’t get me a place on Team USA… THEY ARE NOT A “BADGE OF HONOR,” anyone can buy them!!!

I know this weekly Game Plan is based upon the very fact that our standing in Christ, our place on the team, is by grace alone… through faith alone… in Christ alone! It is a free gift we could not earn!

Titus 3:5-6 not by works of righteousness we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us… whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Note: our ELITE standing is a result of the ELITE accomplishment and work done by Jesus. HE EARNED IT FOR US!!! Therefore, I cannot boast! (See Ephesians 2:8-9)

Then, once on the team, I think it is important that we remember that “wearing those ELITE socks, involves a challenge:

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BELIEVED in God SHOULD be careful to MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. THESE THINGS ARE GOOD AND PROFITABLE TO MEN.

We are commanded to not flaunt our position on the team, but to make sure we are a good teammate!!! Throughout the Playbook (The Word) we are told to, out of our gratitude, be FAITHFUL!