Proven Blog

Secure in Him

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Article by Melissa Motes, FCA Arkansas Red River Ambassador

God’s approval is all our hearts need.

In high school, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible girls’ basketball program. I pushed myself at every practice, stayed late to get in extra shots and never wanted to let my teammates or coach down. I craved that feeling of knowing I had earned their approval and trust. I wanted them to be pleased with me.

We had dreamed about this moment, and now it was finally here — the state championship. The culmination of years of hard work, early mornings and hours of shooting had led to this game. As the clock ticked down, everything seemed to slow. I caught the pass, scanned the court and saw our post player double-teamed. There was no way to get the ball to her. The clock was running out, so I took the shot. It arced high, clean and rotated beautifully, then swished through the net. Suddenly, we were in a full-on dogpile at center court, celebrating like crazy teenagers.

We were state champions! It was everything I’d dreamed of — Or was it?

Something unexpected happened in the days after. Instead of the lasting joy I thought I’d feel, there was a persistent emptiness I couldn’t shake. Sure, the recognition was fun — fans and coaches celebrated us — but it didn’t last. Soon, everyone else moved on. Was this all there was to winning something we’d worked so hard for? The satisfaction faded, and before I knew it, the pressure to please everyone again — for next season — was already weighing in.

Looking back, I realized I wasn’t chasing a trophy; — I was chasing approval from other people. I craved that “Well done” from coaches, teammates, parents — anyone who could tell me I was valuable. I desperately wanted to feel worthy and like I measured up. To me, winning felt like the only way to fill that hole.

As coaches and athletes, we can easily fall into the trap of people-pleasing. We think we can earn love by constantly chasing approval, working harder and measuring our worth by the numbers on a scoreboard. But what if that’s not the full story?

Choose Christ Over the Crowd

In Mark 1:11, right before Jesus starts His public ministry, God speaks these words over Him: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

At this point, Jesus hadn’t done anything — no miracles, no sermons, no mission to the cross. Yet, God spoke words of approval over Him simply because of who He was — God’s Son – not because of what He’d done.

Chase Christ, Not Approval

When we understand that God sees us through the lens of Jesus' death and resurrection, everything changes. Jesus has already shown us that God’s love is enough. It’s not something we have to earn or prove — it’s secured through His sacrifice on the cross.

What does this mean for us? It means we no longer need to strive for approval. Instead, we can live from a place of security and freedom found in a relationship with Jesus. The pressure to please others fades because our worth isn’t found in their approval, it’s in Jesus' finished work on our behalf (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Seek Christ's Approval Over People's Praise

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

You can’t serve two masters. Ultimately, we’re either living to please and glorify Christ or living to please someone else. Trying to please anyone other than Christ puts us in conflict with how He invites us to live.

Whether you’re in the middle of your coaching career, your athletic career or life’s challenges, glorifying God is what truly matters most. You don’t have to earn His love, approval or affirmation. It’s already yours. You are His beloved child, and He is well-pleased with you — not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are in Christ. When we start to live out of this truth, it changes everything.

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” - John 15:8

Question for Reflection

How have you been trying to gain approval from others? What does God say about your value?

Challenge

Take a few minutes to sit with God and let Him speak His love over you. Allow yourself to remember your identity as His beloved child.

IF YOU READ THIS ARTICLE and aren’t in a relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR , which explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.

We want you to join us as we journey through PROVEN this year! Discover how to Connect, Cultivate, Choose, and Commit in your heart and purpose by diving into God’s Word and joining us through monthly content and challenges. Start today!

Proving Our Strength

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 14:00:26 GMT

Article by Sarah Roberts, FCA Atlanta Pro and Elite Director

Don’t tell God how big your giants are… tell your giants how big your God is!

It is baseball and softball season, and something relatively new has taken center stage over the last few years: replay. In one specific game, umpires were reviewing whether or not a runner was out at first base. The play was shown repeatedly on the video board. If you were a fan of one team, you thought the player was out, but if you were a fan of the other team, you thought the player was safe. Even though everyone was watching the same video, their perspectives differed based on the lens through which they were watching.

We can all struggle proving we are strong enough. This may be the very message we are receiving from others and/or from ourselves. But as followers of Christ, what if we changed the lens through which we look and instead of trying to prove our strength, we became living proof of God’s strength?

The story of David defeating Goliath is one of the Bible’s most beloved stories because it reminds us that we all face giants and it gives us hope that we, too, can defeat them. But the lesson it teaches us is that we defeat our giants not through our strength, but by trusting in God’s strength. As we look at the story, we encounter two different perspectives watching the same Goliath, who threatens the people of Israel and defies the living God. One is focused on their strength, or lack thereof, while the other is focused on the strength of the Almighty God.

“Then the Philistine (Goliath) said, ‘I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!’ When Saul and all Israel heard these words from the Philistine, they lost their courage and were terrified.” - 1 Samuel 17:10-11

Both King Saul and Israel saw this giant and heard his threats through the lens of self and reacted in fear and refused to fight.

“David said to Saul, ‘Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine … The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” - 1 Samuel 17:32, 37

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied Him. Today, the Lord will hand you over to me.” - 1 Samuel 17:45-46

Just a shepherd boy, David saw this giant and heard his threats through the lens of God and His strength. He reacted in faith, fought and won.

When we look at our struggles, the broken world around us and the giants in our lives, we can view them through the lens of self, who can be weak, small and fearful, or through the lens of the living God, who is strong, big and all-powerful. As followers of Christ, the same Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead lives in us (Romans 8:11), and that should give us a whole new perspective – one of love, joy, peace and hope. May our focus not be on the giants in front of us but the living God who died, rose and dwells inside of us … that is proven strength .

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” - John 15:4

Question for Reflection

Have you been focusing on the size of your problem, or the size of your God?

Challenge

What is one attribute of God’s character that you can hold onto that reminds you that God’s strength is already proven for you?

Right Recognition

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:01:42 GMT

Article by Mark Long, FCA Endurance Director

God recognizes our heart and motivations, and His affirmation is the notice we need.

At the collegiate and professional level, many teams utilize a sports scout to identify and evaluate talented athletes. They actively seek out potential prospects who possess the necessary skills, physical attributes and competitive drive to succeed at higher levels. Once identified and chosen by the scout, the athletes still need to prove themselves and demonstrate their skills and ability to make the team.

Athletes are keenly aware of these scouts and keep a watchful eye for them when practicing and competing. They focus on proving themselves and standing out, which could lead to advancement in their sport.

Many athletes also seek the approval and recognition of their coaches, teammates and even their fans. We are all too familiar with the showboat player who scores a touchdown and immediately points to his chest or his name on the back of his jersey. They focus on themselves and seek other’s approval.

This mindset can even be seen off the field in the lives of individuals. We can seek out the approval of friends to be liked or accepted into a particular group. We want to be noticed and may feel like we must prove ourselves worthy.

As Christ followers, on the other hand, we should strive only to please the One who truly matters.

He recognizes us not for what we do but for who we are, a child of the Almighty God. He not only recognizes us, but He created us to love us. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to save us and give us eternal life through Him. He has chosen us to be in His family and on His team.

Jesus is Our Example

Jesus lived and died to please God alone.

“The one who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him.” - John 8:29

He was affirmed by God.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

“While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!’” - Matthew 17:5

The world encourages us to seek validation from others, but Scripture emphasizes the importance of finding our worth in God alone, rather than in human opinions. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.”

Seek the Approval of God, Not Humans

Paul spoke of seeking the approval and recognition of man versus God.

“For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” - Galatians 1:10

As ambassadors for Christ, our goal is to seek to please God, not the recognition, approval or praise of others.

God Knows the Motivations of Our Heart

God knows our every thought and motive, and He should be our central focus. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”

We aren’t driven by applause, achievement or accolades —our motivation is to seek and serve God in our everyday work and our sport, honoring Him.

“Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people.” - Ephesians 6:6-7

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” - John 15:4

Questions for Reflection

Are there times when you seek the recognition and approval of others in your sport or in life?

How does that compare to knowing that you are loved, called, chosen and approved by your heavenly Father?

Challenge

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” – Matthew 6:33

Already Enough

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:30:04 GMT

Article by Sarah Freymuth, FCA Content and Storytelling Manager

A reminder for when you wonder, "Am I enough?"

Do you feel like you can’t measure up? Are you constantly striving but feel like you are not good enough? No matter what goal we set, the bar always rises. We spin our wheels and still can’t reach a point where we can rest.

Maybe you are afraid of falling short, so you do all you can to set yourself up for success. Or maybe there’s fear from the fickle fans who cheer you on one day and turn on you’re the next. Or signing with a program that promises a long tenure but backtrack at the sight of one sub-par season.

The ways of this world will leave us constantly in a state of confusion, trying to earn our spot and seeking to stay relevant.

Relevance fades throughout time, but what is eternal stands forever.

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If we look to God, we see He created everything out of love. That includes us.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.’

So God created man
in his own image;
he created him in the image of God;
he created them male and female.” - Genesis 1:26-27

God formed us intricately. Deliberately. With great craftsmanship and intent.

“For it was you who created my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise you
because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.
Your works are wondrous,
and I know this very well.
My bones were not hidden from you
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in your book and planned
before a single one of them began.” - Psalm 139:13-16

Loving eyes watched over us from the start; we already had value before we took a breath.

It’s not about doing or being enough. It’s about who you are and whose you are.

Your identity is everything – and your identity is securely rooted in the love of God your Father through Jesus Christ.

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:12-13

You are already wonderfully made, seen and cherished. There is nothing you can do to earn a better status or make yourself feel useful. You cannot earn God’s approval; you already have it when you receive Jesus as the One who paid the penalty for sin and gave us right standing with God.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16

For God so loved the world – that’s you and me – that He couldn’t stand to see us separated from Him, so He sent His perfect Son to shed His blood and give us the life we couldn’t earn on our own.

Because of Jesus, we get the gift of life forever with our Father. We can live confidently in this truth, with joy in our hearts and an assurance that our God calls us good.

We are enough in Jesus.

God made us uniquely and intimately. Nothing was overlooked when He fashioned us together. He knew how we’d look, the things we’d like, the way we’d be filled with compassion, justice or encouragement.

When comparison comes around, remind yourself of the truth that you are God’s beloved child and He loves you immensely, so much that He gave His Son to bring you into His family.

The world may say one thing, but what God says is ultimate. We don’t need to strive to be enough. We don’t need to strive at all.

Jesus has proven Himself worthy and the answer to God’s love. Let’s rest in this today, receive the love and care God longs to shower on us and find freedom in the fact that there is nothing we need to do. God already goes before us and works on our behalf. We are His children, and when He looks at us, He sees His wonderful design.

Jesus is everything; He did everything for us, and as we receive His love and work on the cross, we live in a newfound freedom where we don’t have to keep up with anyone.

In Jesus, you are already enough.

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” - John 15:4

Questions for Reflection

How are you trying to prove that you are enough?

How are you already enough with God?

Challenge

Let yourself slow down and be loved by Jesus. Read Psalm 139:13-16 and be reminded of how intimately your God knows you.

Connect

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:07:51 GMT

Article by FCA

Connecting to the God who loves us.

In the fast-paced world of sports, it’s easy to get caught up in the game—the noise, the pressure, the crowds, the stats, the wins and the losses. Every day, it feels like everyone needs something. This pace can lead to burnout, frustration and a desire to check out. But disconnecting isn’t the answer.

God’s plan is for us to remain connected to Him and to one another. So, how do we move from disconnection to connection?

We must look to our Heavenly Father and His love through His Son, Jesus. In the beginning, humans suffered eternal separation from God because we chose to eat the forbidden fruit. But He loves us so much that He sent His Son to restore our relationship with Him. God’s love is not performance-based; it is proven out through His pursuit of us and giving of His Son, Jesus.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Before we take one step more into our day, our sport, our fears and worries, sit for a moment in the truth that you are beloved by God. He declares His good pleasure with us based on how He sees us in Jesus. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us; He loves us as His child and desires intimacy with us.

In this broken, backwards world, we have become wired to perform to please others or gain approval.

But it is enough simply to be in Jesus’ presence. God values relationships over results. We should, too. He is after our heart, not our stats or status.

“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.’” - Mark 1:11

Before Jesus took one step into public ministry, God affirmed His identity as beloved.

When we lean into our identity as a daughter or son of God, we learn what it is to live in this belovedness.

As we stay connected to Christ, He changes us from the inside out, and we bear fruit that lasts through every season. The fruit we bear (love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) proves we are His disciples. We need Him, and we need His people. When connected to Christ, we can lead our family, our team and our community. May this be a season of moving from disconnection to connection—not just with the game, but with one another and Christ.

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” - John 15:4

Cultivate

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:33:51 GMT

Article by FCA

Cultivating a life with Christ.

During preseason, our teams spend hours in practice, preparing for the start of the season. We work through plays and drills the build strong momentum going into our games. Yet, as the season progresses, teams can grow weary and get caught up in the travel and games, causing practices to peter out and slow down. Sometimes, our performance can regress, and we see ourselves and our teams slipping, because we haven’t continued to prioritize practice.

Nobody becomes exceptional at their sport by accident. It requires spending countless hours in the gym, weight room or on the field or court. The athletes who consistently grow are the ones who are consistent with their habits.

A relationship with Christ works the same way. Nobody has a strong relationship with Christ accidentally. It requires the same amount of dedication and discipline as coaching or playing a sport.

“Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me.” -John 15:4

The word remain is used time and time again in John 15. Remaining in Christ means having a continuous connection with Christ. Doing so requires actively putting in the work to sit and dwell in God’s presence. This might mean setting your alarm a little earlier to spend time in prayer before you start your day. Perhaps it’s reprioritizing your time so you can dedicate more time to reading God’s Word. Maybe it’s pausing during your to-do list to simply be present with Him. Whatever option, it requires work.

We must prioritize spiritual training. And remaining in Jesus requires a plan we keep to. Whether that’s reading your Bible, stopping to pray in the middle of your day or opening your heart and eyes to see God in the moment, you are training in godliness.

“But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” -1 Timothy 4:7-8

Remaining in Jesus brings a joy that passes all we can understand. And the fruit of our dedication to remain in Him is evident. Make sure you are always remaining in the presence of God. It cultivates our faith and deepens our dependence on Him, for our good and God’s glory.

“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” - John 15:8

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” - John 15:8

Choose

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:33:14 GMT

Article by FCA

Choosing a life of love.

W e have a choice about what we spend our time on, how we spend it and to whom we give it.

We’ve committed to God’s team. We’ve cultivated our faith to receive God’s love more and become more like Jesus. Now, will we choose to love like Jesus?

“’I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’” -John 13:34-35

Jesus’ disciples were a team. In John 15:12-17, He huddles them up and gives them a command two separate times: love each other. Jesus tasked these individuals to prove their commitment to the team by loving each other. The same command echoes to us today.

God wants you to love your coaching staff, teammates, team manager and everyone involved in the program. It’s not by accident that you are together. But you can be certain of one thing: God has you where you are, with the people you are with, for however long you are with them, so that they can experience God’s love for them through you.

“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 15:12

When Jesus says in John 15:12 to “Love one another as I have loved you,” He is telling His disciples — and us — that His life is the playbook for how we love those around us.

Because Jesus sacrificed for others, we sacrifice for others.

Because Jesus served others, we serve others.

Because Jesus walked the earth with a “There you are” attitude instead of a “Here I am” attitude, we adopt a similar posture.

While Jesus could not be more clear in John 15 that we should love each other, He also spent much of His ministry loving people on the margins. If we want to love like Jesus, we will also choose to love those who go unnoticed.

Jesus always engaged with people society deemed insignificant, marginal and unworthy. He made time for the unpopular and unnoticed. Even though He commanded His disciples (and us) to love each other, watching the very life of Jesus helps us understand that “each other” is not limited to those we get along with or the popular crowd. “Each other” means everyone —especially those we often ignore.

Who are the unnoticed in sport? The injured athlete, the one at the end of the bench or the one who just got cut. The maintenance worker who cuts the grass, cleans the pool, dusts the floor or rakes the dirt. The referee who spent the entire game getting yelled at by coaches, parents and fans. The athlete on the opposing team who had a tough game. What kindness can you show them, so they see Jesus’ love through you?

Jesus loved those whom others ignored. We’re proven when we choose to do the same.

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.” — John 15:12

Commit

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:59:48 GMT

Article by FCA

Staying committed to Christ.

When life gets tough, it can be tough for us to keep going. We may start enthusiastically in our relationship with God, but our true beliefs and commitment are often revealed when we face trials.

When we first connect with God, we feel excitement. When we follow Christ, we feel His love and are encouraged by His word. We also may begin to cultivate His character and choose to love others.

Committing to Christ becomes hard when we are left out, made fun of, face temptation, feel rejection or like we do not belong. It seems easier to throw in the towel, walk away, and commit to an easier way of life found in the world.

Jesus meets us in these hard moments. He speaks clearly, “If they persecute me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20) . Jesus is teaching His disciples and us today that commitment to Him is commitment to a cost. Committing to Christ may cost us friends, popularity, money, possessions and maybe even our lives. But when we commit to Jesus and remain in Him we are assured of life in Heaven and the “crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12) .

We can practice resiliency by following Jesus’ example. How did He handle pressure or challenges? How did He interact with those who were out to harm Him? What does He tell us to believe when we are afraid or face the impossible?

“Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” -Matthew 26:39

Fixing our eyes on God and going straight to Him in prayer puts us in a position to seek and receive His wisdom, strength and sustenance. God gives us freedom to ask boldly and honestly, but with a desire for His will to be done. We also have the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, who helps us in our weakness, intercedes on our behalf, and guards us in all truth.

The cost is great, but committing to Jesus from the beginning and watching Him move in our hearts and lives, is even greater.

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LIVE IT OUT

Quarter Verse

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” - John 15:19