Why Does God Let Christians Lose? Part 1 of 3

I've often wondered this question in regard to sports. If God wants Christians to be a witness for Him, and if those who win generally have the highest platform from which to shine, then why does God let so many good Christians lose in sports? If I were God, I would definitely help My children win so they could tell others about the good news of knowing Me.

Clearly, God has other things in mind. For many Christians have gone into sports and many have not seen success or at least the best of success, like championships. Sure, there are definite exceptions; look at Albert Pujols, Candace Parker, Tim Tebow (for crying out loud, could there be a bigger exception?). But many Christians enter high-profile sports and don't get much past average. Those that do excel and garner attention often don't win the championships or MVP awards; e.g. Jake Peavy, Matt Hasselbeck or Jarome Iginla (of the NHL). They do well but falter in crunch time, like the playoffs. Some reach the pinnacle but then their careers are cut short; Shaun Alexander is one that comes to mind. (Disregard my clear Seattle sports bias here.)

I was thinking about this question specifically with Kurt Warner in mind. Last football season he was on the virtual cusp of drinking in another Super Bowl MVP trophy and winning his second Super Bowl with a different team, something no other starting quarterback had done before. "What a great thing, God," I thought. "You had Tim Tebow back in January win the national championship and now Kurt Warner in February winning the Super Bowl." However, it was not to be. Victory was snatched from the fingers of the Arizona Cardinals and Warner. The camera panned to an upset Warner throwing his towel in frustration.

A blown opportunity for God to step in and help the Arizona defense stop the zipline pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes? Couldn't He have just helped the Arizona defensive back jump a little higher to deflect it on that one play? Alas, His ways are assuredly not my ways.