If you are an athlete or a coach, freedom may not appear to fit in your world. As an athlete, you are under the authority of coaches and expectations. As a coach, you may be also under expectations and under the authority of those who put you there. But there is hope to find a way forward: Freedom is available.

Through God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, you will experience freedom that you never expected. When you put your whole trust into Christ, it can change everything about you. You will no longer be a slave to what the world says. You can have confidence that God has already overcome the world and you can live out of that as your status as His child.

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

1 John 5:4

What does this freedom have to do with being a coach or athlete? When Jesus changes you, He wants to be a part of your whole being. That means He wants to help you see your sport differently too. There are many ways this can happen, but here are three thoughts to help you live in freedom. 

You will be free to compete.

When you realize that your talent and passion for the sport was given to you by Him, you will want to please and honor Him by giving your all. That includes training, film time, time on weekends and how you interact with your teammates and family. FCA’s Competitor’s Creed says, “I compete for the pleasure of my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.” When He has given you something and you use it for Him as best you can, He is glorified by it.

You will be free to fail.

When you are in Christ, you will see that your value is not, nor should be, found in your sport. It is in Christ! God made you, Jesus redeemed you and the Spirit abides within you. You are His, so when you compete for Him, you can go as hard as you are able.

If you do make a mistake or fail in some way, you know that you are still loved and highly valued. 

You will be free to love others.

Remember, your intentions, motivations, thoughts and actions will change. As a coach, you will not only see coaching as drilling the skill into people, but you can enter their world and learn how to care for them beyond the game. As an athlete, you can put your arm around a teammate and help them, give them someone to lean on when life is hard. 

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

Galatians 5:13

When you are free in Jesus, you are free to live a life pleasing to Him, not chained to the darkness of this world. That freedom can bring a whole new perspective of all He has given you, including your sport. Live in that freedom, serve Him in that freedom and love others in that freedom.You are free to shine His light. 

-Mark Jones