I sat near the final baton change for the 4 x 100 metres relay finals at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. But in either case, the Christian spectator can appreciate it. A non-Christian performing the athletic feat would not be aware. A Christian sportsperson performing the athletic feat might be aware that this is what they are doing. Of course, God’s power, creativity and beauty are far beyond anything that a mere sporting performance can achieve, but it can give us a glimpse. Sometimes the quality of a sporting performance is such that it takes the breath away and points to the power, creativity and beauty of God. I believe he wants me to work hard and make the best of what he has given me and use it for his glory.” 1 Former Chelsea and Newcastle Premier League footballer Gavin Peacock has said, “I regard my ability to play football as a gift from God. How can a performance bring honour to God? First, a sportsperson can bring glory to God simply by using their God-given gift.
As his faith developed, they prayed that God would strengthen them and that they would “skate for the glory of God”. When they were younger believers, Stephen prayed that God would help them to win the competitions in which they were competing. Their prayers about their skating also changed as they matured in their Christian faith. Stephen once commented that he and Danielle would often pray with each other, especially as they grew older. Australian brother and sister pairs figure skaters Stephen and Danielle Carr competed at three Winter Olympics in the 1990s. Thus, athletes might thank God or give glory to God when they perform well or when they simply participate. (1 Cor 10:31)Ī sportsperson can glorify God with their words by acknowledging that the ability and opportunity to play their sport, regardless of how they perform, comes ultimately from God. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name… (1 Chr 16:28-29a) It involves words:Īscribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. To give glory to God means to speak and act in a way that gives honour to God, and which reflects his greatness. But, to be fair, the media do not usually interview those who are less successful.) But what does it mean to glorify God? And can we glorify God in ways other than actually saying “we glorify God”? (Some may cynically wonder if the person would give glory to God if they had not done so well. We often hear sportspeople say after a sporting performance in which they do well that they “give all the glory to God”. This is an excerpt from The Good Sporting Life: Loving and playing sport as a follower of Jesus.Īs well as thinking of God and thanking God, we can also-as Shaun Pollock has noted-use sport to glorify God.
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