Being a Christian athlete is a blessing and a challenge. The blessing is evident whether one wins or loses. You have an everlasting Friend that celebrates with you when you win, and the world’s biggest Cheerleader to support you when you fall short.
The challenges are created on two fronts: our failures and society’s expectations. Our failures can include anything from not properly preparing for a game and then expecting God to let us win to not obeying God and expecting His best. But society plays a role in the challenge of our relationship with God.
Society has expectations on how it believes Christian athletes should behave. Some in society believe that athletes should accept society’s standards and not have a voice. Others expect an athlete to be super vocal and take the stand they want. Then there is part of society that believes athletes and sports are a total waste of time and human existence. Others will pump up athletes’ heads making them feel they can do no wrong. Either way, society expects the Christian athlete to be perfect.
But the Bible reminds the Christian athlete that the talent and skills she has are a gift from God. It reminds the athlete to compete and prepare for the glory of Our Lord. A Christian athlete can learn to block out the noise, forget about the negativity as well as excessive praise from fans, and focus on being his best as he keeps his eyes on Him who will always be the Friend or Cheerleader in every moment of the game . . . and in life.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.~Colossians 3:23-24
Source: Athletes In Actions