Formed by the Game: 30 Days of Seeing God in the Liturgies of SportNäide

Halftime

Halftime can be one of the most critical moments in sport. The first half is over, the scoreboard tells a story, and both successes and mistakes are fresh in mind. Athletes regroup, coaches adjust strategy, and the team assesses performance. Fans and parents discuss plays, cheer, or reflect on what they’ve witnessed. It’s more than just a break—it’s a ritualized pause, a liturgy built into the rhythm of every contest. In that moment, everything slows down so that clarity and correction can take place before returning to the heat of the game.

The liturgy of halftime teaches us that evaluation and adjustment are necessary. Sport culture often praises nonstop effort—“play through it,” “don’t stop,” “just push harder.” But halftime interrupts that mindset and creates space to think. Without it, fatigue sets in, mistakes multiply, and purpose gets lost. Spiritually, the same is true. Without pauses of reflection, we drift, distracted by performance or pride.

Scripture gives us a redemptive way to view these pauses. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Halftime is an invitation to ask: Am I working for my own recognition, or for God’s glory? Are my actions aligned with His purposes, or am I chasing a lesser goal? These pauses give us space to repent of wrong motives, celebrate God’s faithfulness, and reset our focus on Him.

Next time you find yourself in a pause—whether at a literal halftime, between classes, on a commute, or in the quiet moments before bed—see it as a liturgy of reflection. Ask God to reveal what needs adjusting in your attitude, your effort, or your heart. Celebrate progress, acknowledge failures, and recommit to playing for an audience of One.

Halftime reminds us that reflection and adjustment are not signs of weakness but of wisdom. When we treat these pauses as sacred moments, we are shaped into people who compete, live, and serve with renewed focus on Christ.

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to use every pause in life to reflect, realign, and serve You faithfully. Teach me to adjust my actions and motives so that everything I do glorifies You, both in victories and in mistakes. Amen.”