How to Be a Happy Sportsperson: Game DaySample

We have reached the last Game Day talk, focussing on the eight characteristics of being a disciple of Jesus Christ as applied to sportspeople. These eight traits are placed at the opening of Matthew, chapters five to seven, called ‘the sermon on the mount’, where Jesus describes the marks, life and witness of discipleship.

As Jesus draws this ‘sermon’ to a close, he leaves us with a challenge through a story:

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

You will make numerous minor decisions during your playing career. For example, on a day-to-day level, you’ll often have to decide whether to declare yourself fit to play. Then there will be a range of major decisions. For example, you will have to decide whether to change clubs.

But no decision you ever make will be as important as the one Jesus highlights here. Jesus makes a very clear distinction here – he calls us to listen to his words and, by so doing, build our lives on solid rock. The consequence of not doing that is judgement and destruction.

By looking at these statements from Jesus about what it looks like to be his followers, we must be careful that we remember that we can only live in this way if we have entrusted our lives to him entirely. Only through his work of grace, saving us and giving us new life through his Spirit, can we hope to be anything like the 'happy person’ described in the Beatitudes.

As we draw this series to a close, I hope that if you began as a Christian disciple, you have been encouraged. I also hope that if you started with a degree of uncertainty about your faith, you have taken steps towards some confidence that you, as a sportsperson, can see yourself combining Christian discipleship with your sport.

Keep going by following Jesus’ simple and straightforward instructions and build your life on his words. You will discover the true happiness of playing under God’s management in this world, and at the end of your life, begin an eternal life filled with joy forever. Meanwhile, get out there and use the sporting talent God has given you. Begin every Game Day by being humble, sad and meek, as you rightly consider the wonderful grace of God. Then, ask him to make you merciful, full of integrity and a peacemaker at your club and team. Indifference and persecution may follow, but you will be one of the happiest people in your club or team. Indeed, you will be one of the happiest people in the world.

Pray for yourself

Dear Lord, Thank you for these last 12 weeks in the Beatitudes. Help me to keep building my life on your word, and thank you that even when I fail to do this, you still love me if I have put my trust in you. Thank you that you promise happiness to all who trust in you. Help me to experience this happiness to the fullest as I reflect on these promises. Lord, I pray this may impact all those I compete with or against in my sport – that they may see you at work in me – making me more like the Lord Jesus. In your name, Amen.

Pray for your friends.

Finally, pray for God to open a door for his message in your club or team amongst people you don't currently know.

Explore Other Resources from Christians in Sport at The Academy .