Shine – A blog about deliberate intention

If you’ve ever been to a Christmas Eve church service, maybe you’ve been a part of the candle lighting. Everyone in the church has a candle, and the flame gets passed.

As I stood in Christmas Eve service last week, holding my candle, Will leaned into me as he shifted his candle over to mine to light it. Shortly after, my candle went out again and he re-lit it a second time. Then, a third time. Finally, I wrapped my hand around the flame to protect the light. 

I smiled.

Standing in the sea of light, I thought, “sometimes we need these moments of recognition where we realize the light is out, and we need to deliberately reignite. And sometimes, we have those moments where we need to intentionally protect the flame.”

Instantly, I remembered what was on my business cards and my very first website in 2012 in Wilmington, NC when I first dreamt up Warrior Soccer Training. 

Matthew 5:14-16 – Let your light shine.

Whatever you believe, the message here applies. 

There are core values and beliefs that we all have. You have them.  These things are our why. 

In highly competitive environments where “winning” is important, sometimes we find ourselves in situations that compromise our values and beliefs. 

There will be people in your industry who will lie, steal and cheat to win. 

People who play dirty. 

People who do and say things you can’t even believe are happening in the same realm as youth soccer.

Be deliberate about your light.

Be intentional about protecting it.

And remember, it’s never been about the what.

It’s always been about the why and the how. 

Why are you doing it?

How are you doing it?

As we enter 2023, hold that close. Enter with intention.