A Lesson for the Christian Life
I grew up hearing stories from my father, who was once a soccer player and later became a coach. One of his favourite sayings has stayed with me for many years. He used to tell his team, “We do not train only to face the eleven players on the field. We train to face fourteen.”
At first, this made no sense to me. How can a team face fourteen men when there are only eleven players on each side? My father would explain with a smile, “We train for the eleven players, and we train for the referee and his two assistants. If the referee or his assistants make unfair decisions, we do not panic. We trained for them too.”
This idea became even clearer to many people around the world when the Springboks recently won important matches while playing with only 14 men. Even after a red card placed them under heavy pressure, they continued with strength, discipline, and confidence in their preparation.
They were not shocked by difficulty. They had trained for moments like this.
This picture gives us a powerful lesson for the Christian life. No matter where we live, we all face challenges. We all experience moments that feel unfair, unexpected, painful, or confusing. Many of us know what it feels like to face “eleven players” of ordinary difficulty—and then “three more” that we never saw coming.
But in all these things, God is at work shaping us. Let us walk through this idea together and see how it encourages the way we live, trust, and endure in Christ.
Training for More Than the Expected
My father taught his team to prepare for more than the obvious opponents. They trained for the moments they could not control and the decisions they could not influence.
The Christian life is very similar. In Hebrews 12:1–2, we are called to run the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus. That means God prepares us not only for good days, but also for difficult ones—days of disappointment, loss, pressure, or uncertainty.
Through prayer, Scripture, worship, and fellowship, God trains our hearts so that we can stand firm when unexpected trials come. When the hard moment arrives, we do not collapse. We trained for this.
The True Judge Never Makes Mistakes
On the field, the referee has real authority. Players sometimes feel he is fair, and sometimes they feel he is not. But in life, we have a greater and perfect Judge who never makes a wrong decision.
Psalm 75:7 says, “It is God who executes judgment.”
This brings deep peace. Even when people misjudge us or treat us unfairly, God remains in control. His justice is final. His wisdom is perfect. Nothing in life escapes His hand.
Training for fourteen men means learning to trust God even when life feels unfair or confusing. We do not fear the wrong calls of others, because God’s call is always right.
Hardship Is Part of Our Training
When the Springboks played with only 14 men, they continued with courage. Their identity, confidence, and discipline remained strong because their preparation had shaped them.
For Christians, hardship does not destroy who we are in Christ. Instead, God uses hardship to strengthen us. James 1:2–4 teaches that trials grow endurance. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for the good of His children—both the expected and the unexpected.
When life gives us a “red card,” we can remember: God is not weakening us. He is training us.
A Witness That Shines Under Pressure
My father used to say that unfair moments reveal a team’s true character. Anyone can play well when everything goes their way. But discipline, maturity, and unity are shown when the calls go against you.
The same is true for followers of Christ. The world watches how we respond when we suffer, when we are misunderstood, or when life becomes difficult. Our witness shines brightest when we remain patient, humble, and faithful under pressure.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
We face trouble with courage because Christ has already won the ultimate victory.
Training With Confidence in Christ
This story teaches us something important and hopeful.
The Christian life is not about hoping that everything will go smoothly. It is about preparing our hearts so that we can stand firm in every situation.
Yes, we face the “eleven players” of everyday challenges.
But we also face the “three officials”—the unexpected, the unfair, the painful.
And we train for all fourteen.
We do not train with fear.
We train with confidence because Christ is with us—guiding us, strengthening us, and never leaving us.
Walking the Journey Together
I share this story not as someone speaking down to others, but as someone walking the same road as you. No matter which country you come from, no matter your background or language, we share the same hope in Christ.
So when life feels unfair…
When the whistle seems to blow against you…
When you feel like you are the one playing with only 14 men…
Remember this: God has already prepared you for this moment.
And Christ, our faithful Saviour, is standing right beside you.
Let us keep training.
Let us keep trusting.
Let us keep our eyes on Jesus—the One who runs with us, strengthens us, and leads us all the way home.