CONNECT

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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