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

Fans

Fans are an essential part of sport. Their cheers, chants, and reactions shape the energy of the game, influence athletes’ performance, and create an atmosphere of excitement or tension. Sport culture teaches athletes and coaches to perform for applause, recognition, or approval, disciplining fans into becoming the measuring stick of success. We can easily start chasing the approval of others rather than focusing on growth, integrity, and service. The liturgy of sport has a powerful rhythm: performance is observed, measured, and celebrated by a crowd.

Scripture reminds us to reframe our audience. Hebrews describes a “great cloud of witnesses” who cheer on faithfulness rather than performance. Their encouragement points us to perseverance, diligence, and integrity, not applause or medals. In sport, fans can serve as a reminder that while human applause is fleeting, God’s recognition is eternal. Every game, practice, and effort is played before the ultimate audience of One—Jesus Christ.

Next time you step onto the field, court, or arena, remember the fans in the stands and the spiritual truth they represent. Their presence can remind you of God’s faithful witnesses and call you to run your race with focus, perseverance, and devotion to Him rather than seeking the fleeting approval of others. Performance matters less than faithfulness, humility, and obedience.

Fans teach us that the liturgy of sport can point us toward worship when our hearts are rightly oriented. We play not to impress the crowd but to honor God, and every action—visible or unseen—can become an offering of praise and obedience.

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to run my race for You alone. Teach me to play, serve, and live with faithfulness, remembering that the applause that matters most comes from You. Amen.”