As athletes, many of us have an objective to push our bodies to the limit to deliver peak performance on the field of competition. To achieve this, we know our approach requires effort from many angles. For example, following an effective training plan, dialing in our nutrition, making time for sleep, stretching, mobility, and other methods to promote recovery. With so many areas to focus on, the time and effort dedicated to this process can be endless, and can certainly become obsessive, as it did in my life. It’s crucial to remember that our responsibilities as athletes should always come second to our relationship with God.

Athletes often face the temptation to idolize their sport and performance, and I am certainly no exception. I thrive on training hard, eating right, and maximizing my performance. I believe God's word makes it clear that we should take care of the bodies He has given us. However, it can be easy to become consumed with the desire to win, to be the best, and to find our worth in our achievements. We must not let an unhealthy obsession develop, where our performance defines our identity and self-worth. 

Yes, we should strive to do everything with excellence and work hard as if working for the Lord, but, if these pursuits take priority over our relationship with Jesus, we’re placing something else on His throne. Sports can be fantastic hobbies, opportunities for scholarships, or even careers, but they make a terrible god. Our circumstances change, our performance changes, our role as an athlete can change, but Christ is never-changing. Let us not put our hope in something that lacks security. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served what has been created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen." (Romans 1:25)

In Romans 1, the apostle Paul writes about worshiping creation rather than the Creator. We only have access to playing sports because our Creator made it possible. Competitive sports, and of course our able-bodies, are a generous gift from Him. Out of gratitude, how much more should we desire to compete for His glory rather than worship what He created for us!

"And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Satan subtly tries to distort good aspects of our lives into idols. Careers, relationships, hobbies, and sports can easily be prioritized over our relationship with God. But scripture reminds us no area of our life should take precedence over our spiritual health.

"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)

"Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Our sport can be taken away at any moment. This life and our bodies are fragile and temporary, but if we are in Christ, our spirits are being renewed day by day. Even if we lose our ability to play, nothing can take away the freedom that Christ has won for us.