The Audience

When I got the chance to play my first college basketball game in my home state, I was so excited to play in front of the 40-plus people who had come to watch me. I wanted to play well and prayed that God would help me to do so.

Much to my disappointment, I played the worst game of my life. I made only one shot in my team’s humiliating 30-point loss. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t want to talk to anyone who had come to cheer me on. I was afraid of what they thought of me and my performance.

But as I left the locker room after that game, I was welcomed by smiling faces and warm hugs. The people who came to see me play didn’t care if I scored three points or 30 points. They just wanted to see the one they loved.

God looks at us in the same way. God loves us enough to call us His children. He loves us unconditionally and does not base His love on our actions or performance. All God wants is for us to do the best we can with the gifts He’s given us.

As athletes, we can either find our worth in our performance or find our worth in something eternal. Sports are what we do, but they do not define who we are or how much we’re worth.